Ready, Set, Caucus: A Guide

After months of debates and heavy campaigning in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina the scramble for the White House has officially arrived in the North Star State: This week, Minnesotans of all political stripes will caucus on Tuesday.

Question No. 1: What is a caucus?

A caucus helps a political party gain consensus as to how voters have aligned their political and candidate preferences. This year, the top story is at the Republican caucus where the field is still split four ways between would-be presidential contenders — the ostensible front runner , former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

But at a caucus, there’s more going on than just candidate selection. Participants hash out the party's platform  and sometimes select county committee chairs that go to a state—and sometimes national—convention.

What distinguishes a caucus from a primary is that at a primary, voters don’t have to be present at one particular location at a specific time. For a primary, voters just go to their polling place and cast a vote, the same as they would do at a general election.

For a caucus, you have to be physically present at your designated caucus site, register, show your party affiliation and then participate in the process. Attendees participate directly.

To take part in a caucus, you must be eligible to vote in the 2012 general election and live in the precinct.

Each party has its own rules and guidelines it follows.

Question No. 2: Who can caucus?

Caucuses are intended to be remarkably transparent. They are open to the public and participation is encouraged. In order to vote in a caucus, offer resolutions or become a delegate, however, attendees must be eligible to vote in the upcoming general election, live in the precinct, and generally agree with the principles of the political party in question (a die-hard Republican couldn't moonlight at a DFL caucus, for instance, in the hopes of influencing the candidate selection to their own party's advantage). For more information, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's FAQ page.

Question No. 3: Where do I caucus?

The quickest answer is this: Go to the Secretary of State's Caucus Finder and enter your street address. However, we've also included an alphabetical list. All caucuses officially convene at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Constitution Party

• Dakota County voters interested in this party are invited to Robert Trail Library, 14395 South Robert Trail, in Rosemount.

DFL

• Senate District 37: Apple Valley High School, 14450 Hayes Road in Apple Valley. Conveners are asked to arrive at 6:00 p.m. Registration at 6:30 p.m.

• Senate District 38: Eagan High School, 4185 Braddock Trail in Eagan. Begins with a victory rally at 6:15 p.m. followed by registration at 6:30 p.m. 

• Senate District 40: , 400 East 134th Street in Burnsville.

Green Party

For more information, please see the party's website.

Independence Party of Minnesota

• Northview Elementary, 965 Diffley Road in Eagan. It is also possible to caucus online. Please visit the party's website for more comprehensive information.

Republican Party

• Senate District 37: Eastview High School, 6200 140th Street West in Apple Valley.

• Senate District 38: Black Hawk Middle School, 1540 Deerwood Drive in Eagan.

• Senate District 40: , Burnsville High School Senior Campus, upper level, 200 West Burnsville Parkway.

Whig

• Valley Middle School, choir room, 8900 Portland Avenue South in Bloomington.

Editor's Note: Stay tuned. We're going to have live coverage from the caucuses on Tuesday.