Coming on February 7th, 2012: Get out to your precinct caucuses to help animals!
Precinct caucuses are partisan meetings organized by Minnesota’s political parties both to begin the process of selecting candidates for the 2012 election as well as to establish policy positions that shape party platforms. Caucuses are held in locations all across Minnesota, are open to the public, and participation is encouraged to give individuals a voice in which candidates will be chosen to run for elected office.
HOW CAN ATTENDING A PRECINCT CAUCUS HELP ANIMALS?
By attending a caucus, you are taking a powerful step towards determining who may ultimately represent you in elected office. Caucusing is an excellent and easy way to get involved as an advocate for animals. You can introduce resolutions* on behalf of animal issues that may become part of your chosen party’s platform. You have the opportunity to actively support candidates who pledge to work for humane animal policies, or you can oppose candidates who take a poor stance on animal issues.
When they are seeking your support, candidates are typically very responsive to questions from you as a potential supporter in their district. Ask the candidates who are seeking your support at the caucuses questions about their positions on animal issues such as those shown below.
Questions you can ask candidates:
Have you taken any actions in the past to positively impact the humane treatment and protection of animals?
Are there any programs or policies you would like to see implemented to encourage stronger protections for animals?
If elected, would you support legislation that would regulate the breeding of dogs and cats by giving the State of Minnesota the authority to 1) license commercial breeders of dogs and cats, 2) inspect facilities, 3) enforce laws and regulations, and 4) impose civil and criminal penalties for violators?
If elected, would you oppose legislation that criminalizes or chills humane undercover investigations at animal facilities, including puppy mills and factory farms?
If elected, would you oppose efforts to legally exempt any animal or plant from protection under the Endangered Species Act?
* What is a resolution?
A resolution can be any policy, value, action or idea that you would like to see your party adopt to be part of its platform for the year. Introducing a resolution related to animal issues can be a great way for you to raise awareness about animal issues in Minnesota. You will have an opportunity to introduce and work for your resolutions during the caucus. You should bring a dozen or more copies of your resolution with you to distribute to the other attendees at the beginning of the meeting. You may also want to arrive early and discuss your resolution with others to gain their support. There will be a time during the caucus when the chair will ask for resolutions. Resolutions must be in written form. They are read, seconded, debated, and then voted on by a voice vote. There is a time limit for discussion – the chair sets the rules of debate unless overturned by majority vote. If passed, resolutions are forwarded to the convention at the next level. If there is disagreement about your resolution, the chair will facilitate a debate, so you may be asked to make an argument for its inclusion.
Would you like to introduce a resolution to help protect animals?
The MN Secretary of State has a Precinct Caucus Finder on their web site. The Caucus Finder helps Minnesotans locate the time and place of caucus meetings in their neighborhoods. You can also learn more at the League of Women Voters site.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about precinct caucuses
Q: What is a precinct caucus?
A: A caucus is a meeting organized by a political party where citizens can engage each other in a conversation about which candidates to support in the next general election and what public policy positions should be adopted as part of the party’s platform.
Q: Who can attend a caucus?
A: Precinct caucuses are open to the public and participation is encouraged by individual political parties. In order to vote, offer resolutions, or become a delegate at a precinct caucus, attendees must be eligible to vote in the next general election, live in the precinct, and be in general agreement with the principles of the political party they are caucusing with.
Not sure if you are registered to vote? Check here.
Are you eligible to vote? You may register and vote in Minnesota if you:
- Will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day
- Are a citizen of the United States
- Will have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
- Have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed
- Are not under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights
- Have not been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law
You can find more information on voting here.
Q: Are caucus meetings accessible to individuals with disabilities?
A: Most caucuses are held in accessible buildings. Anyone needing interpretive services or caucus materials in alternate formats should write or e-mail state office of their chosen political party in advance for further assistance.
Q: What do caucus attendees do?
A 1): Discuss public policy issues and pass resolutions: Caucuses provide a forum for citizens to engage their neighbors in a conversation on a wide range of public policy and political issues. Attendees may also offer and vote on resolutions to shape the party’s platform.
A 2): Vote in a straw poll: Political parties may conduct a straw poll to gauge caucus attendees’ candidate preferences for state or federal elected offices.
A 3): Elect precinct officers: Caucus attendees elect officers who will be responsible for organizing political activities within their precincts.
A 4): Elect delegates: Caucus attendees elect delegates and alternates to represent their precinct at their political party’s county or district conventions. District convention delegates in turn, elect delegates to the political party’s congressional and state conventions. Delegates influence which candidates and policy positions their party ultimately endorses.
Additional Information on Minnesota’s Political Parties and Caucuses in 2012
*Constitution Party
E-mail: info@cpmn.org
Website:http://www.cpmn.org
Caucuses: February 7, 2012 at 7pm
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)
E-mail: caucus@dfl.org
Website:www.dfl.org
Caucuses: February 7 at 7pm
Grassroots Party*
E-mail: tc_wright38@yahoo.com
No caucuses in 2012
*Green Party
E-mail: caucus@mngreens.org
Website:www.mngreens.org
Caucuses: February 7 at 7 p.m.
Independence Party
E-mail: karijohnson.robinsonip@gmail.com
Website:www.mnip.org
Caucuses: February 7 at 7pm
*Libertarian Party
E-mail: info@lpmn.org
Website:www.lpmn.org
Caucuses: No caucuses in 2012
Republican Party
E-mail: caucus@mngop.com
Website:www.mngop.com
Caucuses on Feb. 7 at 7pm
* These political parties may choose to hold caucuses, but are not required to do so under state statute.
