Political party caucuses set for Feb. 6

To the Editor:
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, political parties in Minnesota will be holding their caucuses as they do every two years. Once again, this year promises to be an exciting time for political change in Minnesota since we have an open seat for the governor’s race and now with the resignation of Sen. Franken, we will have two U.S. Senate seats to fill. This is your opportunity to participate as Republicans begin the process of choosing their endorsed candidates for these offices.
Minnesota is one of only 10 states that has a caucus system where like-minded citizens gather with their neighbors at a local meeting place to discuss the candidates and try to persuade their neighbors to vote for the candidate they think is the best.
This year at caucus, the Republican Party will be holding a straw ballot for governor. Information about each governor candidate can be found at www.sibleycoun [1]
tyrepublicans.org.
In addition to voting on a gubernatorial candidate, we will discuss issues and vote on resolutions that may become part of the Republican Party platform. We will also elect delegates to the upcoming county convention to be held in March. The entire caucus takes about two hours, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Who can participate and vote in the caucuses? State statute 202A.16 gives us the guidelines. First, you must be eligible to vote in the next general election. In addition the statute says: “Only those persons who are in agreement with the principles of the party as stated in the party’s constitution, and who either voted for or affiliated with the party at the last state general election or intend to vote or affiliate with the party at the next state general election, may vote at the precinct caucus.” You cannot participate at more than one party’s caucus in any one year.
If you identify with Republican Party principles and intend to vote Republican this coming November, you are invited to attend the Minnesota caucuses on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. You can go to www.MNGOP.com [2] to read the party platform for more information about Republican Party principles.
Here is a list of the Sibley County Republican caucus locations:
Henderson: City Hall, 600 Main St.; hosting the city of Henderson, and the townships of Henderson, Kelso, Jessenland and Faxon.
Gaylord: Sibley East Elementary School, Room 151, 625 Harvey Drive; hosting the cities of Gaylord and New Auburn, and townships of New Auburn, Sibley and Dryden.
Winthrop: High School Choir Room, 1001 North Cottonwood St.; hosting the city of Winthrop and townships of Bismarck, Cornish, Transit and Alfsborg.
Gibbon: Elementary School Cafeteria, 323 E. 11th St.; hosting the city of Gibbon and the townships of Moltke, Severance and Grafton.
Arlington: Sibley East High School Choir Room, 202 Third Ave. NW; hosting the cities of Arlington and Green Isle and the townships of Arlington, Green Isle and Washington Lake.
For more information please call 320-864-3911.
Emily Gruenhagen
Deputy Chair
Sibley County
Republicans