Caucus Night Agenda

Caucus is predictable. Read on to learn more on what to expect and how it will run.

Republican Party Caucus Structure is uniform accross the state. MInnesota State Law influences what must be covered, how paperwork must be completed, what must be completed during a cacus, the order it must be completed and who can and can't attend and participate. Learn more on what to expect and how it will run.

There are some minor differences however between Caucus locations based on size, location, and the volunteers in charge. Common examples of acceptable differences include:
-what time registration opens,
-whether treats are served,
-how candidates particpate candidates
-Whether fundraising such as a PCR programs are done (It is important to that State Law
requires that no fee can be charged to participate in Caucus but does not ban donations.)

The time Caucus will be called to order by a volunteer called a convener however is promptly at 7 pm.

Important to note- registration is required by all who attend whether they are eligble to participate or not. There are different forms if someone is observing because they are not eligible to particpate. (Such as a young person who will not be 18 by the time of the elction but wants to see the process or someone who is not a resident of the precinct.)

The order of events, called an agenda, is given to the Precincts. It includes a script to ensure that all the legal requires for a proper Caucus are met. The order of the Agenda is as follows:

1.) CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME (7:00 PM)

2.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3.) INTRODUCTION OF TEMPORARY SECRETARY of the Caucus (Someone is picked ahead of time to volunteer or volunteers at caucus to write down with times and results of votes or actions until a permanent secretary is elected. That person must be voted on by the attendees and win the election.)

State Party officers, candidates for offices, and elected legislators letters may be read after the election of the temporary secretary. (This is not mandatory.)

4.) EXPLANATION OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS by the Convener. During this part of the meeting it is defined who can and cannot participate by the Convener by reading from the Script. Everyone is then asked to verify that they are eligible to participate by answering the conveners questions.

5.) INTRODUCTION OF OBSERVERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS

6.) BUSINESS OF THE CAUCUS AS REQUIRED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES

7.) GUBERNATORIAL STRAW BALLOT

8.) ABSENTEE DELEGATE NOMINATIONS: Individuals who could not for one reason or another could not attend but wanted to be put into nomination. The group that is meeting as a whole if multiple precincts can choses whether to accept these forms. If they vote no then they cannot be considered at precincts. If the BPOU votes yes, each individual precinct must decide whether or not to accept the nominations. If no one is in a precinct they cannot be brought forth as precincts are separate and only precinct members can nominate people within their precinct.

9. ELECT PERMANENT CHAIR OF THE CAUCUS

10. ELECT PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE CAUCUS

11. APPOINT TELLERS

12. PROCEDURE FOR ELECTING PRECINCT OFFICERS, DELEGATES, AND ALTERNATES is explained as follows-
“The law does not specify the manner in which Delegates and Alternates can be elected other than by secret ballot. There is a choice of two methods:


A. Nominate and elect Delegates and then nominate and elect Alternates. This method requires balloting twice and you need to wait for the results of the first ballot so that those who are not elected as a Delegate have the opportunity to run as an Alternate.


B. Nominate for Delegates and those not elected as Delegates are elected Alternates in order of votes received. This requires balloting only once and you have the advantage of rank ordered Alternates. Having rank ordered Alternates is very helpful when seating Alternates at a convention.


Note: Depending on the number of Delegates to be elected and the number of attendees that you have to fill those positions, there may be a third method which does not require any voting. For example if you have 10 allocated Delegates you may accept 10 nominations for Delegate. Then ask if there is anyone else who wishes to run for Delegate. If there are no additional nominations, the 10 nominated may be elected by a voice vote of acclamation (or raised hands) and become the Delegates. Then attempt to get 10 nominations for Alternate. If you wish to rank order the Alternates you may vote on a method such as the order in which the names were placed on the board, or alphabetically by last name. Regardless which method you use, you must not prohibit any person from running for Delegate or Alternate if they meet the requirements you read earlier.

A motion for the method must be made. it must be seconded. discussion then a vote.

13. REVIEW DUTIES OF PRECINCT OFFICERS

14. OPEN NOMINATIONS FOR AND ELECT PRECINCT OFFICERS
Nominations for Precinct Officers must remain open until 7:15 pm, but can remain open longer.

During this time consider the nomination of any person who filled out an Emergency Delegate form or ABSENTEE DELEGATE NOMINATIONS form who wants to be a precinct officer and make sure it is reflected by the secretary in the minutes. (They must be nominated by a person living in the perecinct present to be considered.)

15. REVIEW THE DUTIES OF DELEGATES & ALTERNATES

16. OPEN NOMINATIONS FOR DELEGATES & ALTERNATES- You may nominate yourself.
Nominate and elect delegates and alternates (Nominations must remain open for first 15 minutes of caucus. Elections may begin after 7:30 pm and must begin before 8:00 PM). There are no automatic delegates. All must be nominated and elected. During this time consider the nomination of any person who filled out an Emergency Delegate form or ABSENTEE DELEGATE NOMINATIONS form who wants to be a precinct officer and make sure it is reflected by the secretary in the minutes. (They must be nominated by a person living in the perecinct present to be considered.)

Each nominee must confirm that he/she is willing to accept the position and fulfill the responsibilities of the delegate or alternate position. Then vote using the chosen method.

17. ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRECINCT OFFICER, DELEGATE, & ALTERNATE RESULTS
Once the resulsts are read it is okay to take a picture of the form listing the delegates and alternates elected so you know who you are serving with and have a record if the form is lost or some other mishap.

If they are not ready to announce the election results, they might continue with #18, the Donation Envelope until ready.

18. PASS AROUND A DONATION ENVELOPE & PCR FORMS

19. RECRUITMENT OF PARTY VOLUNTEERS

21. DISCUSS REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM AND ACTION AGENDA (see separate caucus information on this item.)

The following rules are suggested:

A. Resolutions must be in writing.

B. Debate on any issue will be limited to 5 minutes.

C. I will call on pro and con speakers alternately.

D. There will be a time limit of 1 minute per speaker.

E. No one can speak twice until all have had a chance to speak once.”


Resolution Forms with resolutions that have been discussed are given to the Secretary and marked “pass” or “fail”.


22. CLOSE

They will ask if any other business to come before the caucus?

Before you leave, please make sure you have signed in on an official caucus registration form and the precinct caucus attendee form and that your name, address, phone number, and email address are legible.


23. ADJOURN
If the business of the caucus has been completed in less than one hour, you may dismiss the other caucus attendees. You must remain in the room until the caucus has been open for one hour (8:00 pm) and it is okay if Caucus is open for longer than 1 hour.

Helpful Information-
It is okay if people tell someone if they are not doing it correctly, we want to ensure we do things correctly. In the rare case that something like this might happen and someone insists, document the situation by taking a picture of the form and make notes of what happened. Please ensure that atleast one person sends a picture of the form and a detailed explanation of what happen to jill@MNGOP.com so any discrepancy can be cleared up easily.
Also it is okay if people ask to see the certifications for empty precincts and take pictures of them empty to ensure none are added later. If there are names it is okay to inform that they cannot put people in empty precincts because we want to ensure the correct process, Take a picture of the form filled out incorrectly and send to jill@MNGOP.com with a the details of what happened.