Punxsutawney Phil shouldn’t be the only one coming out of hibernation on Tuesday, February 2.
Precinct caucuses will be held all over Minnesota on Tuesday, and you need to show up. It’s time for you — yes, you — to venture out, get to know your neighbors, and participate in the political process. Look around you. Isn’t it obvious that our state government needs your help?
You don’t need to be registered with any party to attend a Constitution, DFL, Green, IP or Republican caucus. Your caucus is easy to find at the Secretary of State’s website. It will be close by — probably at your local school or church. (Or, if you feel more at home in a virtual community, you can even caucus via computer, compliments of the Independence Party.)
Are you still a little nervous about joining your neighbors for the caucus? If you’re not moved by sense of duty, consider it a night of great entertainment. You don’t need to say a word. Just sit back and listen. You’ll probably be amused, outraged, and reassured all in a matter of minutes.
For me, attending the precinct caucus is so essential and entertaining because I grew up in Punxsutawney Phil’s home state of Pennsylvania — where there’s no caucus system and no way for the average Joe and Jane to become so intimately involved in the political system. As the Strib wrote this morning:
“The grass-roots, person-to-person campaigning for caucuses makes Minnesota politics different. The state is one of the last to have a powerful caucus system, in which groups of neighbors get a first cut of candidates and can force issues — from international policy to organic farming — to the fore.”
So, crawl out of your burrow and make an appearance on Tuesday night. Don’t let Punxsutawney Phil be the only one making predictions on February 2. The actions of you and every eligible voter are the true predictors of the future of our state.
- Wendy Wehr, MCF VP of communications and information services
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Great post, Wendy! As someone who’s previously participated in the caucuses, it’s definitely an interesting (and fun) experience. I’d like to add that Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has a great resource for folks who would like to learn more about the process.
They’ve published a survival guide, which you can download here:
http://www.mnparticipationproject.org/docs/precinct_caucus/2010%20Materials/Precinct%20Caucus%20Survivor%27s%20Guide%202010.pdf
If you’re not sure where your caucus is happening, the state has a “Caucus Finder” tool to help you search for your location online:
http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/