I wrote this for the Minnesota Monitor, but if you go out to caucus, be sure to stay and add some GLBT related resolutions or get yourself elected as a delegate. Those two things are vital to all political parties.

If you are like me -- and media reports suggest that many of you are indeed like me -- today will be your first caucus. The energy surrounding Super Duper Tuesday can make that trip to your precinct seem intimidating, but everyone I've asked and everything I've read says it's easy. Jack Rice interviewed Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who provides some great overview in this video. And here's a brief look at what to expect.

Finding your precinct

If you are a member of the Independence Party, the Republican Party or the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, your caucus is Tuesday (today) and it begins at 7 p.m., although the Independence Party will hold virtual caucuses until March 5. The Constitution Party met last Saturday, Feb. 2, so if you are a Constitution Party activist, you've missed your chance. Finally, the Green Party will meet on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m.

To find out your caucus location, the Secretary of State's office has a great precinct finder for all of the major and minor political parties. Each of the party websites also has precinct finders: the DFL, Minnesota GOP, and Independence Party.

When you get there and what to bring

It's best to show up a little early. Registration will start at 6:30 p.m. You do not need identification to participate in the DFL caucus. In fact, the DFL sent out guidelines to the precincts this year stating: "To participate in the caucus, a voter need not show any identification, and need not have registered to vote. We don't want a more restrictive process for caucus registration than for voter registration, which doesn't require showing identification."

For the Republican Party, you don't need identification, but it's wise to bring a driver's license or state identification. The office of the Republican Party of Minnesota says that identification is not required, but should be brought with you just in case you are challenged.

A person can be challenged at any of the party caucuses. You can be challenged on these grounds: you must live in the district, not be an active member of another political party, and agree to party principles, constitution and by-laws.

During registration is when you cast your ballot for presidential preference. You don't have to stay at the caucus after submitting your ballot, but there is a lot more party business to vote on if you do. Also, if you are 16 or older you can participate in the rest of the caucus business. You must be 18 by Election Day in order to cast the presidential preference ballot.

Anyone can observe the caucuses even if they are not eligible to vote.

If you live in a heavily populated area, multiple precinct meetings might be held at the same location. At registration, volunteers will help you find the room or location of your actual precinct caucus.

What happens at the caucus

At 7 p.m., leaders for the precinct will be selected at the caucus. Attendees will vote for someone to run the caucus. Their responsibility begins and ends with caucus night. Attendees will also select precinct leaders.

Delegates will be selected as well. Some precincts will have a small number of attendees, so becoming a delegate will be as easy as showing up and raising you hand or signing up. In larger precincts, you may have to build support for your bid as a delegate. The delegates will move up from the precinct level to the Congressional District and eventually, if they are selected will go to the party's national convention. The DFL's delegates are binding, meaning that the presidential preference poll "binds" delegates to vote the way your precinct did. For the GOP, the presidential preference ballot is merely a straw poll that gauges support. My earnest attempt at describing the delegate process can be found here.

Also, members of each precinct will put forward resolutions to amend the party's platform. This is how issues and policies make it up the chain to become the position the party will take. Many organizations have sample resolutions on a variety of issues, but you can create your own as well. A good rule of thumb is to get support for your resolution from attendees before you bring it up.

For both parties, the results of the presidential preference ballot will be announced to the caucus at 8 p.m. and then sent along to be reported to the party and the media.

For a comprehensive look at the caucus process for the DFL, check out Grace Kelly's rundown at MNBlue. The Senate District 40 Republicans have a comprehensive guide to caucusing as well.