Ritchie: Taking Part In The Caucus Is Simple
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says taking part in the caucus is quite simple.
"There is no registration in Minnesota by party affiliation. And these are wide open party caucuses," Ritchie said.
He says the political parties use the caucus system to first choose their local leadership. Second, to start the process for considering which issues they want on their platform, and third to take a straw poll and pick their choice for nominee.
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"We have seen quite a collection of candidates coming through town over the last few days and that should raise the temperature and get people excited and get them to the caucuses," he said.
Ritchie says his office is responsible for getting the word out about how to find a caucus. A "Caucus Finder" is at the top of the website, at sos.state.mn.us.
He also says they then post the results of the straw poll on the site for the general public to see.
Ritchie says each party has different rules in terms of age of participation but the expectation is if you come to a caucus for a party, that you are leaning toward joining that party in the August primary.
The Republican Presidential nomination process has gotten a lot of attention here in Minnesota, and Ritchie says that could mean a higher turnout.
