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by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Minnesotans can have an early and loud voice in deciding who the next President of the United States will be, stressed Republican State Party Chair Ron Carey and DFL State Party Chair Brian Melendez.
“Minnesota will really make a difference,” said Melendez, appearing with Carey on Tuesday (Jan. 22) at the State Capitol in St. Paul.
Minnesota will be one of 24 states on Tuesday, Feb. 5 — a date dubbed “Super Tuesday” — that will be holding primaries or caucuses.
See "Grassroots politics begins at home " for a complete list of local caucus locations for the Repuplican and DFL. The Independence Party will "virtual caucus" at www.mnip.com starting Feb. 5.
The party chairs are joining efforts to encourage voters to attend their local caucus — both parties agreed last year to move the date of the caucuses up to lend timeliness.
Best ever
“We believe this year will be the best attended caucuses ever,” said Melendez.
Both state parties intend to have their presidential preference ballot taken almost right away at their respective caucuses.
A caucus goer should be able to come in, register, and vote within about 30 minutes, said Melendez.
Although electing party delegates and debating issues are also on the agenda, a voter doesn’t have to stay for the whole thing, he explained.
 Minnesota DFL State Party Chair Brian Melendez and Republican State Party Chair Ron Carey, looking on, appeared at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday (Jan. 22) to encourage voters to participate in the party caucuses on Feb. 5 — Super Tuesday. The parties agreed last year to move the date of the caucuses up to lend more timeliness to the vote. Minnesota is one of the largest of the 24 states holding a primary or caucus on Feb. 5. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)
Indeed, the goal is it to get the presidential votes tabulated and results reported on the 10 p.m. news, Carey explained.
Democrats are expecting the number of caucus attendees this year to rival the number as during the Vietnam War era — perhaps 70,000, Melendez ventured.
The Republican caucus turnout could be as much as 50,000, Carey guessed.
Caucuses to be informal
Both chairs stressed the informality of the caucuses. People should not be intimidated, explained Carey.
Think of it as a neighborhood meeting with coffee, he said.
For those interested in the political process the caucuses can be the “on ramp” to it, said Carey.
Both Melendez and Carey noted their own journeys into politics trace back to their attending local caucuses.
Caucus goers can find the locations of their local party caucuses online by visitingWeb sites at(http:www.dflcaucuses.org or http://www.mngop.com ).
Otherwise, voters can also call either the DFL or Republican parties at (651) 293-1200 or (651) 222-0022, respectively.
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