Minnesota Political Parties To Caucus February 27th

Originally published February 14th, 2024

Updated February 27th, 2024 6:16 a.m.

(KNSI) — The presidential primary in Minnesota this year is March 5th, but you don’t have to wait that long to become involved with the process at a grassroots level.

The Minnesota GOP and the DFL have scheduled their caucuses for Tuesday, February 27th. Matt Westlund of Sartell has caucused in District 13 for years and says you shouldn’t be shy if you are interested in participating for the first time.

“Like anything else, it becomes easier and more familiar over time the more a person does it. But, in the end, if you know you align with that party’s values, coming out and learning the process is super helpful not only for your voice to be heard, but also to become more involved.”

Westlund explains what is accomplished at the events. “The purpose of the caucus can be broken down into three things: The first is selecting delegates to represent your precinct and your senate district to the next level up, to the state or to the national convention. It’s also, though — that’s how we establish our party platform.”

The platform suggestions are reviewed at the Congressional district level. The platform is a listing of the core values for each party.

Westlund says they usually do a straw poll, but this is the rare cycle where both parties may be down to one candidate early in the process. That would make the exercise pointless.

Caucusgoers in Albany, Cold Spring, Sartell, and Sauk Rapids are part of District 13. St. Augusta, St. Cloud, and Waite Park are in District 14. To find out where your caucus will take place, check out MNVotes.org.

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