2014 Precinct Caucus Meetings Overview

Overview

Caucus meetings will be held this year in preparation for primary and general elections in Utah. These precinct caucus meetings are a grassroots level of political involvement in Utah and are best served by a broad representation of Utah citizens. Those who attend play a critical role in selecting candidates for public office.

The 2014 caucus meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 20, and we encourage our members to participate as an exercise of their civic responsibility and privileges.

Why do caucus meetings take place?

Utah’s system is close to the people and rewards engagement. Neighbors come together to select representatives (called delegates) from their own neighborhoods. These people are the official representatives of the views and wishes of the voting precinct within their chosen party. These delegates attend the conventions and cast votes to select candidates to run in general and primary elections on behalf of their political party. These delegates also vote on the content of the party platforms and governing documents (each party has a county, state and national platform).

What happens at the caucus meeting?

You and your neighbors gather on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. if you are a Democrat and Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. if you are a Republican. Often the party will have a few precincts meet at the same location (often called consolidation). If this is the case the larger gathering will meet first and party leaders will introduce the agenda and if there are candidates in attendance they will address the large group. Depending on your party officers and which political party’s caucus you are attending, the meeting might begin with the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and conducting of party business. Then you will break up into your smaller groups with only the neighbors from your precinct.

In this smaller group you will introduce yourselves, chat about the issues important to your neighborhood and get to know each other better. Anyone participating can nominate other participants (or themselves) to stand for election as a delegate to county and/or state conventions. Those running for delegate may be asked to give a short speech so that other attendees can learn more about them and why they would like to be a delegate. The attendance at these meetings varies. Depending on the year and your precinct, you may have 5 or 100 people at your meeting. Then at the end of the meeting the group will vote for delegates.

Where are caucus meetings held?

Caucus meetings are held in libraries, homes, schools, churches and government buildings. Sometimes a party will consolidate meetings with several precincts in the same location, like a school. You will need to know the name or number of your voting precinct, which is printed on your voter information card. You can also call or visit the website of your county clerk to determine your voting precinct. Once you know your voting precinct number you can find the exact location of your caucus by checking your local newspaper on the Sunday before the meetings, or by visiting the State Party websites.

How do I become a delegate?

You must be elected at your party precinct caucus. You must first be nominated, either by someone who supports you, or you can nominate yourself. If only enough people are nominated to fill the available delegate slots, your election will be easy. If more people are nominated than slots are available, then you will have competition and some nominees will have to be eliminated.

The key to becoming a delegate is a little advance work. It might make sense to call your precinct chair and/or leg chair (you can get that name and number from your state or county party) and let the chair know you are attending and want to run for a delegate slot. Keep in mind that in most of the meetings voting on delegates will not occur until the end, so be prepared to stay the entire time. Most meetings are less than two hours. If you are elected as a delegate, make sure you schedule time to attend your conventions to represent those who have just elected you.

Who is eligible to become a delegate?

• You must live within the precinct/legislative boundaries of your caucus meeting.
• You must be at least 18 years old by the November election.
• At Republican caucuses you must be a registered Republican.
• You should bring photo ID with you.
• You must be a registered voter in Utah.