Precinct Caucus 101

In a previous column, I discussed the importance of signing up and contributing to SEIU C.O.P.E. (Committee On Political Education). Through this program, we are able to give financial support to those politicians who are most closely aligned with the issues and concerns of our members. I urge you to become members of COPE, but at this time of year it is time for all of us to become politically active.

On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, cities and townships across Minnesota will hold their precinct caucuses. Having been very active in politics for many years, I will try to give some information on what a caucus is and why it is important for all of us to take time if we can to attend.

To find out where your caucus is held (it may be different from where you vote in your general election), you can go on line to www.sos.state.mn.us, which will bring you to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. You can click on the link for “Minnesota Precinct Caucuses”, enter your home address, and the website will give you the location for your precinct caucus.

The first thing you must remember is that the caucus is a partisan event. This means that you will have to declare yourself aligned with a specific political party. However, this does not mean that in the general election you have to vote for that party. It only means that at the caucus you will have to work specifically on and vote for that parties issues and candidates.

The first thing you will do is determine that you are in the right location and that you will be eligible to vote in the 2010 general election. If you will be 18 years of age on or before the date of the general election in November, and a legal citizen of the United States, you can attend and be a part of the caucus.

The next step is to participate in a straw poll for a specific candidate in the upcoming general election. In 2008, Minnesotans chose their nominee for President. In 2010, the endorsement will be for Governor, and other offices. You will be able to vote for the candidate that you are in favor of receiving the party endorsement and being placed on the ballot in November.

One of my favorite things about the caucus is you can bring up specific concerns and issues that are important to you. These issues are brought forward in what are called resolutions. A resolution is a statement that a citizen writes and presents to the caucus. No issue is off limits. If it is important to you, bring it up! Present your thoughts and ideas regarding your issue in an easy to understand statement and do your best to convince those in attendance why it should go forward and possibly become a law. It can be frightening standing up in a room full of people and speaking out on what is important to you, but this is your chance to have the opportunity to have your voice and your concerns heard. After the resolution is presented, those in attendance will discuss and debate the issue on its merits, and then it will be voted on in a simple yes or no voice vote. If your resolution is passed, it moves on to the next convention, where it will be voted on again and possibly be adopted and placed on the platform. Once on the platform, the endorsed candidates will pledge to move these issues forward during their campaigns and if elected, pledge to do their best for the issue to be adopted into law.

Once the resolution process is completed, the election of delegates to the Senate District or County Party convention will take place. You can nominate yourself or someone else and pledge that you will attend the next event in the endorsement process. This can be very exciting to be a part of, because the candidates will hear your voice as they try to receive the party’s endorsement for the office that they seek.

You can take time off from work to attend the caucus. You must give your employer 10-days written notice of your intent to attend the caucus, and you will be under no penalty of wages or job status or seniority other than a deduction in your wages for the actual amount of time you are absent from work.

In addition to the Secretary of State website, other helpful websites regarding caucuses are:

www.cpmn.org: website for the Minnesota Constitution Party

www.dfl.org: website for the Minnesota Democratic Party

www.mngreens.org: website for the Minnesota Green Party

www.mnip.org: website for the Minnesota Independence Party

www.mngop.com: website for the Minnesota Republican Party

www.lwvmn.org: website for the Minnesota League of Women Voters

Going to caucus is an easy way to participate in politics at a grassroots level. You can voice your thoughts on issues of importance, as well as having a voice in the ultimate choice of who are elected leaders will be. I urge you to attend the precinct caucus of the party of your choice and let your voice be heard in the governing process of our state and nation.

Also, another way the members of SEIU can have their voices heard even before the caucuses is to attend the Governor’s Forum on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the Wellstone Community Center, 179 Robie Street, St. Paul, MN 55107 from 9am until 5pm. The forum will give members a chance to learn about IRV (instant runoff voting), and other issues in the upcoming election, as well as a chance to meet the candidates who are running for the office of Governor of the state of Minnesota. Please make plans to attend this important event.

Did you know? Over 260,000 people attended the 2008 Minnesota Precinct Caucuses in which Mitt Romney and Barrack Obama received the nomination for endorsement for President of the United States.

Stay strong and united in SEIU pride and solidarity, and as always…

Solidarity Today! Solidarity Tomorrow! And Solidarity Always!...

In ALL Ways!!!

Yours in SEIU pride and solidarity;

Mark Freeman
Methodist Hospital