Leaders urge voters to attend caucuses

“If you want to see a better country, precinct caucuses are the way to start,” declares Deb Hogenson, chair of the Waseca County Democratic Party.

 

County Republican treasurer Charlie Priebe phrases it another way, “If you feel inclined to complain about the way things are, you should come help change them.”

 

Precinct caucuses will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3; registration begins at 6:30. In the case of the Democratic party, all county precincts are invited to the cafeteria of Waseca’s Central School Building. Republican precinct caucuses are at various school buildings and community centers across the county; a full list appears at the end of this article.

 

Much helpful information about precinct caucuses appears on the Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-cauc....

 

What local political leaders from both parties want people to know is that they are encouraged to attend, will be able to engage at whatever level they find personally suitable, and will be speaking with friends and neighbors from their own precincts. There are 23 precincts in Waseca County. Based on population, they range from the size entire communities of Janesville, New Richland and Waldorf, to whole townships, to divisions of the city of Waseca, where precinct lines are drawn by local governments to help facilitate city and county elections.  

 

Once they begin, caucus discussions will last as long as precinct groups find suitable to accomplish a few tasks: select their precinct delegates to the county-wide convention and to endorsing conventions, elect party officers, and discuss possible changes or additions to party platforms.

 

Democrat Hogenson explains that the Secretary of State office requires all major political parties to hold precinct caucuses, and even designates what day and time they must be held. “But each party decides the details and their way of going about things.”

 

Because of this, there will be differences in the exact way business is handled–for example, how the Democrats are having all precincts gather in one large space, while Waseca County Republicans have spread their precinct caucuses across five locations.

 

County Republican Chair John Knotts observes that, with Tim Waltz’s recent announcement he will not be seeking re-election in 2026, parties will want to know more about the qualifications voters want their candidates to possess. In fact, the Republican caucuses will begin with a “straw poll” on the question.

 

In order to vote or be selected as a candidate or alternate during the precinct caucuses, individuals must be eligible to vote by the Nov. 3 election. Others can attend and listen in, but depending on party procedures, are either not allowed to speak, or may speak only in limited circumstances. 

 

Those who wonder whether they are “qualified” to attend need not wonder, leaders from both parties say.  Attendees should evaluate whether their political beliefs and interests align more closely with those of the Democratic or Republican party, then attend the appropriate meeting.

 

“Not all Republicans think alike,” says Knotts lightheartedly. “We have our own liberals and conservatives, and it makes for some lively discussion.

 

“What’s most important is that people come, take part in the democratic process, and share their viewpoints with like-minded neighbors."  

 

Hogenson is energetic as she describes the precinct caucuses. “They’re an important part of what the founding fathers wanted for our nation,” she says. “The idea of a government ‘by the people, for the people, and of the people’ is much more than just words.

 

“Each citizen is meant to give genuine thought to how we can improve the way our country is run, and then share that input on the local level so it can be passed along, step by step, all the way up to the national level.

 

“The precinct caucuses are the grass roots foundation for everything that follows.”

 

“I really encourage people to come,” comments Knotts. “We want to hear their contributions.”

 

Sites for Republican caucuses in Waseca County are the Waseca Junior and Senior High School, the Waseca Intermediate School, the high school buildings in both Janesville and New Richland, and the Waldorf Community Center.

 

All Democratic precinct caucuses will be in the cafeteria of Waseca’s Central School building.

Anyone wanting to know what precinct they live in will find a useful tool on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.