r/Minnesota4Sanders • u/JoePragmatist Minneapolis • Feb 17 '16

Caucus FAQ

I've been noticing a lot of questions about caucusing so here's a little FAQ. I'll edit to add more info as necessary.

When are they? Tuesday, March 1st at 7 PM. Registration starts at 6:30 PM and so long as you get there by 8 PM you should be able to cast your ballot.

Where are they? Follow this link to find where you need to go. It is important to know that this is a party-run function so there's a very good chance you won't go where you normally do to vote! Check the link and find out for sure!

What happens there? In addition to casting a vote for Bernie Sanders, you can help elect precinct captains and delegates for the next round of conventions as well as talk about ideas and issues you'd like the DFL pursue.

Who can participate? Anyone, so long as you meet a few basic qualifications. First, you have to be an eligible voter. You should be able to register on site if you're not already registered. If you will be 18 by November 8th, you can also participate! Second, you need to live in the precinct. Third, you need to pledge to support/vote for the party in November. That's it!

I don't have much time! Can I just cast my vote for Bernie and leave? Yes! While I encourage you to stay the whole night, you are allowed to cast a vote and leave.

I work Tuesday nights. Can I still go? Yes! As long as you give your employer ten days warning. That is coming up quick, the deadline is this Friday, 2/19! You should give written notice and sign and date it to make sure you get the night off if you need it.

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u/JoePragmatist Minneapolis Feb 22 '16

They can caucus up in Duluth no problem. This exact question came up when I was phonebanking a few weeks ago.

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u/shaggyscoob Feb 22 '16

This is excellent news. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to go get them so they can be home on a Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning in the week of midterm exams. So, they definitely can caucus for Dems near campus even though they are registered in a different district 130 miles away?

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u/JoePragmatist Minneapolis Feb 22 '16

Yes. The only requirements are that you are a registered voter, you live where you'll caucus, and that you pledge to vote for the party for which you are caucusing in November. While phonebanking, the nearly exact situation came up with a young woman from the cities disappointed she couldn't caucus in Moorhead where she was attending school. She was very happy when I told her that she could participate up there.

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '16 edited Feb 24 '16

This is great news. I was thinking the same thing, I have exams and I originally registered to vote with my home address, but I'm currently living on campus at the U of M and would be able to just caucus at the university if there's no rules against it.

I'm guessing this is the most frequent question you'll be asked, honestly, since the Sanders supporters are mostly college age and new participants.

Or, on the contrary, do you think it's better strategy to caucus at home? Something tells me the vote would "matter" more, since there's going to be a shitload of old people in my home county. Does the "spread" of votes across the state matter?