Where to caucus tonight

The 2008 political season will begin in earnest at precinct caucuses scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The three major parties in the state are scheduled to have caucuses throughout Carver County.

The precinct caucuses are the first step used by Minnesota’s major political parties to select the candidates and issues they will support in the 2008 elections. Political parties may use the precinct caucuses to conduct preference polls for presidential candidates.

Minnesota’s three major political parties are the Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Independence, and Republican parties.

The 2008 precinct caucuses are open to the public. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Independence, and Republican parties will hold their precinct caucuses at 7 p.m. Feb. 5. The Independence Party will also be holding virtual precinct caucuses starting Feb. 5 and also has scheduled a meeting in the county.

Democrats

Chanhassen precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Victoria precincts 1 and 2 will meet at Bluff Creek Elementary School, 2300 Coulter Blvd., Chanhassen.Carver, Chaska Ward 1; Ward 2 Precinct 1; Ward 2, Precinct 2; Ward 3; Ward 4; and Chaska Township will meet at Chaska Middle School West, 140 Engler Blvd., Chaska.A list of all caucus locations statewide is available at www.dfl.org.

Republicans

Chanhassen precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and Victoria precincts 1 and 2 will meet at Chanhassen Elementary School, 7600 Laredo Drive, Chanhassen.Chaska Ward 1, Precinct 1, Chaska Ward 1, Precinct 2, Chaska Ward 2, Precinct 1, Chaska Ward 2, Precinct 2, Chaska 3, Chaska 4, Carver and San Francisco Township residents will meet at Chaska Middle School East, 1600 Park Ridge Drive, Chaska.Individuals unsure of their precinct can enter their address on this link — http://www.mngop.com/pf/ — to find their precinct.

Independence Party

According to the Independence Party Web site, www.mnip.org, there will be an Independence Party caucus at Chaska Middle School West, 140 Engler Blvd., Chaska.

What’s happening at the caucuses?

1. Election of delegates and alternates

Delegates are the individuals who will go to the party conventions later in the spring and summer to determine which candidates will receive the party endorsement. At the precinct caucus you will have an opportunity to elect delegates and alternate delegates. Become a delegate if you want to influence which candidates your party will support.

2. Discussion of issues

Caucuses also provide a forum for you to voice your views on a wide range of important political issues. You can submit and vote on resolutions that the party conventions may make a part of their platform.

3. Election of local party leadership

The political parties use the precinct caucuses to elect their precinct officers.

4. Straw ballot

Political parties may use the precinct caucuses to conduct preference polls for presidential candidates. The caucuses are also a great place for other candidates for elected office to build support.

Who can attend the caucuses?

Precinct caucuses are open to the public. To actively participate at a caucus you must be eligible to vote in the Nov. 4, 2008, state general election and support or be likely to support the candidates of the political party whose caucus you attend.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office