To the editor:

As leaders within our political parties in Brown County, we would like to personally encourage you to attend your 2018 precinct caucus on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The precinct caucus is a gathering of friends, family and neighbors to exercise your rights in Minnesota’s political process by talking about issues, learning about the candidates running for office, making recommendations for changes in your party’s platform, and choosing delegates to represent you at upcoming county conventions and beyond. Both parties will conduct a non-binding preference ballot for the Minnesota governor race to gauge the support that current candidates in each party have around the state.

You are welcome to express your opinions on important issues, or you can come just to listen and observe. The atmosphere is similar to that of a neighborhood town hall meeting where the exchange of ideas is encouraged and all participants are treated with fairness and respect.

The caucus system in Minnesota is a unique system in the United States, where ordinary citizens have the opportunity to participate not only in the selection of the candidates who will represent your political party but also in defining the issues and positions under which those candidates will run in elections. It is participation citizen democracy in action.

Whether you want just to listen or to actively participate, we encourage you to spend some time on the evening of Tuesday, February 6, attending your local precinct caucus. The caucus will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Arrive early for registration at 6:30 p.m.

For residents of New Ulm and the surrounding townships the Republican caucus will be held at the New Ulm Event Center, while the Democratic caucus will be held at the New Ulm Community Center. Sleepy Eye area caucuses will be held at the Sleepy Eye Public School cafeteria for Republicans and the Sleepy Eye Elementary School library for the Democrats. Springfield and Comfrey area Republicans caucus at the Springfield American Legion and the Democrats caucus at the Springfield Public School cafeteria. Hanska area Republicans caucus at the New Ulm Event Center while the Democrats caucus at the Hanska Community Center.

For a complete and more detailed listing of caucus locations in Brown County, you may contact the County Auditor’s office or visit the website for the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Lori Sellner

Chair, Brown County

DFL Committee

Greg Bartz

Chair, Brown County

Republican Committee