Caucuses plan straw ballot for governor

NEW ULM - People attending precinct caucuses tonight will have the chance to shape and influence their party's future.

Attendees will meet with others from their local precinct to offer resolutions for party platforms, to elect delegates to the county convention, and to hold straw polls (non-binding preference ballots) for state governor candidates.

In Brown County, the DFL will be meeting in New Ulm at the New Ulm Community Center, in Hanska at the Community Building, in Sleepy Eye at the Elementary School library, and in Springfield in the School Cafeteria.

The Republicans will meet at Jefferson Elementary School in New Ulm, at Sleepy Eye High School, and at the Springfield Community Center.

The Independence Party is holding its regional caucuses in Mankato at the Wow Zone Family Entertainment Center, 2030 Adams Street. It will also hold a simultaneous "virtual caucus" online via its web site, www.independenceminnesota.org .

The Green Party is holding its caucuses in the Lincoln Community Center.110 Fulton Street in Mankato, Room 204

The Constitution Party will hold its precinct caucuses at the New Ulm Public Library.

All caucuses follow a similar format.

The caucuses start at 7 p.m.

People are encouraged to arrive early to sign in and be ready to go at 7 p.m. Knowing which precinct you are in can speed up the registration.

To find your precinct, check with the County Auditor's office, or go to the Secretary of State's web site (caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/).

DFL caucus attendees will receive their governor preference ballot upon sign in, and can fill it out anytime between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Attendees will be welcomed by caucus coordinators who will explain the processes and procedures. Caucuses will then break up into precincts.

In the precinct caucuses, members will elect precinct officials, elect delegates to the county conventions, and offer resolutions to be included in party platforms. The resolutions will be considered and voted on at the county conventions. Successful resolutions will move up to the state convention for consideration.

Local caucus organizers expect that the caucuses will conclude by 8 or 8:30 p.m. Straw ballot results will be collected afterward and reported to the Secretary of State's office.

While the straw ballot results are non-binding, they will give the governor candidates their first inkling of where they stand in the race for their party's nomination.