Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Minnesota Farmers Union urges farmers and rural Minnesotans to attend their precinct caucus

Tuesday February 2, all across Minnesota, voters will have the chance to attend their precinct caucuses in their local communities. Minnesota is unique in the fact that the precinct caucus system allows for grassroots level involvement within all major parties.

“With the farm economy and rural jobs being so closely linked to the well being of our rural communities, it is really important for rural Minnesotans to attend their precinct caucus to express their concerns and thoughts and get their voices heard,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “In Minnesota, there are over five million people; eighty thousand of them are listed as farmers, which is another reason to attend – to be at the table when policies are discussed and agendas are set.”

According to the Secretary of State’s office, precinct caucuses are meetings organized by Minnesota’s political parties to begin the process of selecting candidates for the 2010 election and policy positions to shape the party platform. They are open to the public, and participation is encouraged.

You can find your precinct caucus location by contacting your local political party, your county auditor’s office or going to the Secretary of States website:

www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=886.

This site also has a “frequently asked caucus questions” section.

Minnesotans will be electing a new governor in 2010, and the precinct caucuses are where delegates are elected to the next level, the county and senate district conventions. Resolutions are often discussed and passed to go to the next level and help shape the party’s platform.

Minnesota Farmers Union (www.mfu.org) is a nonprofit membership-based organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers, as well as rural communities.

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