Some of my constituents have asked me to give more information on Neighborhood Caucuses. A caucus is a meeting sponsored by political parties where you and your neighbors from your voting precinct meet together once every two years. At this meeting, a few delegates are elected by you and your neighbors to represent your precinct at the political party's convention where candidates for office are chosen. This is the most grassroots political process that we have.
Anyone can attend a caucus meeting. However, in order to participate in voting or running for a seat, you must live in the precinct and be at least 18 years of age by the general election date. At the Republican Caucus, you also must be a registered Republican or affiliate as a Republican. (Democrats do not have an affiliation requirement.)
Both parties will be holding their caucus on Tuesday, March 22. Registration starts at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Generally a caucus will last about two hours. They are a great place to get info on candidates, to be involved in the political process and to get to know your neighbors. If you've never been before, don't worry... there are people there who will help you register and tell you which room to meet in. The precinct chair will conduct individual precinct meetings and will walk you through the process. You don't have to be well-versed in politics to go and participate.
Find your caucus locations.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
If you are elected to be a county delegate, you will need to plan to spend most of the day at the SL County Republican Convention on Sat., April 16 at Cottonwood High School. County delegates will select candidates for the state legislature and county offices.
If you are elected to be a state delegate, you will need to plan to spend most of the day at the State Republican Convention on Sat., April 23 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. State delegates elect candidates for statewide office (governor, auditor, attorney general, etc.). They also elect federal office candidates (U.S. Senate and Congress).
If you are elected to be a Precinct Chair, you will have a vote at the quarterly Central Committee meetings and help organize the caucus meetings in the future. There are other party officers elected such as vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.
This year caucus attendees will also get to vote in the presidential preference primary.
To save time, you can pre-register for the Republican caucus here.
For more information on the Salt Lake Republican Party Caucus
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
If you are elected to be a county delegate, you will need to plan to spend most of the day at the SL County Democratic Convention on Sat., April 9 at Cyprus High School. County delegates will select candidates for the state legislature and county offices.
If you are elected to be a state delegate, you will need to plan to spend most of the day at the State Democratic Convention on Sat., April 23 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. State delegates elect candidates for statewide office (governor, auditor, attorney general, etc.). They also elect federal office candidates (U.S. Senate and Congress).
Democrat caucus attendees will be voting in a presidential preference poll.
For more information on the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Caucus
Don't miss attending your Neighborhood Caucus on March 22!
To find out your precinct or legislative district
