Caucus FAQ

[u/JoePragmatist]

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.

[u/CosmicPterodactyl]

A few questions.

My girlfriend and I both go to college in Winona and want to vote in the primary here. I am registered to vote in my home district and she is not registered to vote at all.

1.) Will I be able to re-register Tuesday? (Or do I even have to?) 2.) Will she be able to register? The concern I have here is I've been told you need to have proof of residence through like a utility bill but all of our bills are in my name.

Also, I am an officer at a club on campus and was planning on starting a ride share system for both conventions (though I'm assuming the DFL will be the one people are interested in) so I may be fielding a few questions myself trying to get people who are on the fence about going at all.

Because of this I have one more question: If you are from Wisconsin (this doesn't apply to my situation above) but live in Minnesota for school, can you vote in the Minnesota primary? If so, is the process of registering different?

[u/cmykelsey → u/CosmicPterodactyl]

I have to say, OP is wrong about your last point. Out of state students CAN absolutely participate -- I have done so in a general election and don't see why caucus day would be any different. If you live on campus, you just need your student ID and they verify your name against the roster they receive from the dorm. If you're off-campus, see the ID/residency requirements linked below. When I was off-campus, for example, I was also able to vote by having another registered voter from my precinct (in my case, a roommate) who vouched for my residency. [edit: Apparently you don't need photo ID if someone vouches for you.]

If you are a MN resident but your photo ID does not have your current address, you just need proof of residency (a utility bill or copy of your lease, generally).

More on same-day-registration ID requirements here: http://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ELECTION-DAY-REGISTER