Party caucuses

Republican Party

How their caucus works:

Voters will sign in at their caucus location and receive a presidential preference ballot to vote for one candidate.

Voters can stick around to talk about issues, discuss changes to the party platform and elect delegates to their local party convention. Candidates for local or statewide offices may also speak.

Rules:

Voters who are 17 may cast a ballot if they will be 18 by Election Day. By voting at a Republican caucus, you are indicating you are a Republican or intend to vote Republican in the November election.

Voters are not allowed to vote at both Democratic and Republican caucuses. You must attend the caucus location in the precinct where you reside.

Does my vote matter?

Minnesota's 41 Republican delegates to the national convention are free to vote how they choose.

Still, it's important to know how Minnesotans feel about candidates, a party spokesman says. Voting results may also influence delegates.

Hours and locations:

Caucuses start at 7 p.m. and will remain open for at least an hour. You can find your caucus location by going to www.mngop.com .

DFL Party

How their caucus works:

Voters sign in and indicate eligibility to vote. You then vote for your favorite Democratic candidate.

For those who wish to stay, the night also includes selecting delegates to the next level of DFL convention, electing precinct officers and debating resolutions to include in the party's 2008 platform.

Rules:

Voters who are 17 may cast a ballot if they will be 18 by Election Day. By voting at a DFL caucus, you are indicating you are a Democrat or intend to vote Democratic in the November election.

Voters are not allowed to vote at both Democratic and Republican caucuses. You must attend the caucus location in the precinct where you reside.

Does my vote matter?

Minnesota sends 88 delegates and 12 alternates to the national convention. Of the 88 delegates, 72 pledge to support a candidate based on the results of the presidential preference ballot.

A candidate must receive at least 15 percent of the vote cast in at least one of Minnesota's congressional districts to be allocated any delegates.

Hours and locations:

Voting is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. To find your caucus location, visit www.dfl.org .

Independence Party

How their caucus works:

Voters sign in and receive a name badge. A welcoming statement from the state party chairman will be read.

You receive a presidential preference ballot and rank your top three candidates.

Rules:

Voters who are 17 may cast a ballot if they will be 18 by Election Day. By voting at an Independence Party caucus, you are indicating you are a supporter or intend to vote along the party line in the November election.

Voters are not allowed to vote at other parties' caucuses.

Does my vote matter?

Voting is an opportunity to gauge the state's opinion of the top candidates.

Hours and locations:

The caucus begins at 7 p.m. and will continue until at least 9 p.m.

To find your caucus location, visit www.mnip.org .

The Independence Party will also have a virtual caucus online from Feb. 5 to March 4.

Sources: Representatives from the respective parties