When I started going to the Hovland Precinct GOP (Republican) caucus several years ago, it was held close to my home. A few years later a decision was made to have a central meeting place for all the now 13 precincts to meet at together, as our county is not densely populated.
Now, you may be wondering what am I really talking about? If you have been there, you may be quite familiar with the process, but for those that are newly interested, I will take this opportunity to help you understand what goes on at the local level in our county during the caucus that happens in every even-numbered year. PLEASE NOTE: For GOP: Feb 6 at 7 p.m in the Log Building at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais!
It is one of the most important privileges, along with voting, that we have as citizens to be involved in our governmental process. According to MN Statute 202A.14 to 202A.19 a caucus must be registered with the county auditor at least 20 days beforehand, and published at least six days before, as in the local paper. No special taxing district governing body or state agency may conduct a meeting after 6 p.m. on Caucus Day. Every employee is entitled to attend a caucus after giving their employer 10 days written notice; no penalty or deduction of wages may be taken other than that of the time of the absence from work. No public elementary or secondary school may hold a school-sponsored event after 6 p.m.
The caucus is held from 7 to 9 p.m. with registration held during the hour before it commences.
In Cook County all register according to their precinct in which they vote. Maps and lists are available to help in that determination for those who may be new or unsure of their precinct. In order to vote during the caucus, you must be a resident of Cook County, not intending to also vote at another party’s caucus, be in alignment with the GOP principles, and be 18 by the Nov. 6 General Election.
People are encouraged in this “grassroots” effort to run for local offices in all areas of running a county, city, park board or school governing body, or those of state or federal organization. During an election year, there are often candidates or their reps visiting the caucus to the campaign, along with posters, leaflets, buttons, and/or stickers being available — you get the idea! Candidates’ letters may be presented to be read by volunteers.
This year there will be a secret “Straw” Gubernatorial Ballot. That means you get to vote in secret on paper for your preferred governor candidate in a ballot that shows how each candidate is polling at this time. These results are then called into the Minnesota Secretary of State Office before the end of the meeting. The actual primary in Minnesota will be held Aug. 14.
Officers of our local BPOU will be elected to serve a two-year term. The Cook County GOP (“Growth and Opportunity Party”) BPOU (“Basic Political Organizational Unit”) operates with a chair, secretary, and treasurer. Election judges, poll challengers, and other volunteers are sought for a successful process to occur. Delegates will be elected to attend the local CC Convention that will be held in March. At the CC Convention the resolutions, which are additions and/or changes to the Minnesota GOP Platform that are discussed at the caucus, are then voted on to be passed on, or not, to the May 5, 8th Congressional District Convention in Park Rapids, and if passed there go on to the State Convention on June 1 and 2 in Duluth. You are welcome to familiarize yourself with the standing state GOP Platform which is on the website mngop.com. We encourage a fair and respectful exchange of ideas among participants.
As mentioned above, there are the county convention, the 8th Congressional District Convention, and then the Minnesota GOP Convention. The local chair as delegate and an alternate are selected to go to the two-state Central Committee meetings each year in the spring and in December. This is important as it keeps the local unit “tied” with the state GOP governing body and up to date with how to operate the CC BPOU. And this all shows the need for us to have available funds to cover expenses such as Cook County News-Herald advertisements of meetings or other events, postage, copy paper, envelopes and printer ink, meeting supplies, fees for attending conventions out of the county, etc. The July 1, 2017 reinstated PCR (Political Contribution Refund) is BACK! YOU can donate $50 per PERSON, or $100 per COUPLE, to our Cook County GOP BPOU, receive a PCR form from the BPOU, and then get your money refunded by the State of Minnesota. As has been every other past year, 2018 is a very important year for Minnesota. Please come “Caucus”!
Mary Petz
Hovland
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