PRIMARY DAY (Elections)

It is Primary Day in the state of MN

What is a primary?
From Wikipedia

"A primary election (nominating primary), also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words, primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the following general election. "Primaries" are common in the United States, where their origins are traced to the progressive movement. There, primary elections are conducted by government on behalf of the parties. Elsewhere in the world, the nomination of candidates is usually the responsibility of the political party organizations themselves and does not involve the general public."


Why does a primary matter?

Earlier this year representatives of each party had the opportunity to choose one candidate from a group of candidates during what is called a "caucus." A caucus is usually a long boring meeting in which people from the party discuss party politics such as: what will be the parties goals, what rules should we follow, who should we support, etc.
These meetings can last a whole day and sometimes longer, but by the end of the caucus there is usually a political nominee chosen by the party to represent it.

During a primary, the regular citizens (not at the party meeting) can choose whether they agree with the party or not.

This is important because the caucus was held in spring and a lot could change by the time of the election. For example, if a nominee was chosen in spring who had a clean record, but during the summer they got into a drunk driving accident, the people could choose a new representative to run during the election.

How can I be involved? (this is the best question to ask yourself)


1) Go here to see where you vote.


2) Go here for more information on voting.


3) Go here to see a huge list of all the offices being voted on.


4) Look around the Secretary of State page.