Here is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Precinct Caucuses.  Click on a question you might have or just read through the whole thing.  It should answer your questions, but if you still have some please contact us.

What is a Precinct Caucus?
Who can go to a Precinct Caucus?
Okay I can go, where am I supposed to show up?
But how do I know which Legislative District I am in?
Okay I have the information I need now where do I go on March 23rd?
Great! I'm excited to go, but nervous.  What should I expect to see when I go?
You've said a lot about delegates and Precinct officers.  I want to get involved but what do they do?
Where do delegates fit in the party structure?
But I'm a nobody.  I want to be really involved but don't know anyone and haven't done this before.






What is a Precinct Caucus?

Can you imagine the organization that would need to take place if the seven executive committee members needed to energize and organize the entire County every single election?  We'd get no where!  That is why we have party structure and leadership to keep the organization in place from election to election so we can build our Party every year.

The mass meetings or precinct caucuses are the most basic process in our Party organization.  These are the meetings where delegates to the county convention are selected.  It is where we select our Precinct officers and eventually our Legislative District leadership.  It is our neighborhood leaders we use to help Democrats win in November!

Who can go to a Precinct Caucus?

Anyone who qualifies to vote in the November election can attend and participate in a Democratic caucus.

Okay I can go, where am I supposed to show up?

The way we have set up the meetings for Salt Lake County is by Legislative District.  Basically you gather with all the people who live within the area represented by the same House Legislator (not Senate, but House).

But how do I know which Legislative District I am in?

If you don't know which district or precinct you are in then Sherrie Swenson to the rescue!  She is our County Clerk and keeps amazing records concerning this issue and has a great website where you can quick find out.  Go here to find your district.

Put in your information and then select "My Polling Location"  Then you will get something that looks like this:

Precinct Number: 2144
U.S. Congressional District: 1
State Senate District:02
State Representative District: 24
County Council District: 1

All this information if very important, but the most important for the night of the Mass Meetings is your Precinct Number and the State Representative District.  So in this case Precinct Number 2144 and Representative District 24.

Okay I have the information I need now where do I go on March 23rd?

We have a list of the locations organized by Representative District .  You can see that list above.  Simply find your State Representative District (also called your Legislative District).  That is where you are to show up.

Great! I'm excited to go, but nervous.  What should I expect to see when I go?

When you show up you will probably see a bunch of tables labeled by precinct.  Find the table that has your precinct number and go take a seat (for information on finding your precinct number click here).  You might also be gathering in one large room.  You will just need to wait for instruction from your meeting facilitator.  You can mingle with other Democrats and find out who in your neighborhood is also excited to elect Democrats in November.

Your current Legislative Chair (or other facilitator) will call the meeting to order.  Business will be read and donations will be asked for (hey this process isn't cheap.  We pay for many of the facilities we use for these meetings, our convention, office material, employees when we can, and to help candidates win - so bring some money!)

Then a bunch of mini elections will take place.  There will be information on the table as to how many delegates each precinct is allowed.  It is based on a formula that includes how Democratic leaning the area is.  Between you and the people at your table you will elect a Precinct Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.  You will then select the delegates.  Often times the number of people that show up will equal this number so everyone gets to be something. Sometimes, and we like this because it means people are participating, more people show up.  You then need to have a small vote to vote in your delegates and precinct officers.  Come with some good arguments as to why you would represent your precinct well or how you want to be involved in organizing your neighborhood to help Democrats win.

You've said a lot about delegates and Precinct officers.  I want to get involved but what do they do?

Delegates and Precinct officers are very important to this democratic (yes, small 'd') and grassroots process.  Here is a short description of the people involved in party structure and a graphic showing the leadership.  If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to call us.

Delegates:  These are the voters.  They are representing the Democrats in a precinct.  They represent their precinct by voting for the candidates that are going to represent our Party in your Legislative District and Senate District.  They will attend the County Convention and cast a vote.  They are also called upon to vote in a special election to replace legislatures who have resigned or left their office for some reason.  It is a very important position to be in - you are an elected representative of your precinct.  You will also be called upon for volunteering and organizing for elections.

Precinct Officers:  These are the elected representatives of a precinct.  Now within each Legislative District there are around 20-30 precincts.  This is decided by the County Clerk.  As a Precinct Officer your job is to keep in contact with your neighbors.  Have a Democratic presence as new people move in to your neighborhood.  You are the connection from your neighbors to the Party.  When an elected official on the Democratic ticket is running and their area includes your precinct they will call on you to help organize volunteers for walking, phone banking, envelope stuffing, whatever!  You are the most basic and arguably more critical part of our entire structure.

Legislative Chair:  A few days after these mass meetings all of the precinct officers who were elected at that mass meeting will meet and elect the Legislative Chair.  This person will work very close with their state representative especially when it is time for them to run again.  They are one step below our Regional Directors and one more beneath our Executive Committee.  They are our contact with the district and a very important part of the process.  They will be called on to volunteer and help organize volunteering in their district.

Where do delegates fit in the party structure?

Delegates aren't part of the structure.  They are voting representatives but aren't necessarily part of the structure.  Conversely the Precinct Officers and Legislative Charis aren't necessarily voting members at the convention.  It's a way to spread the wealth among all those who want to participate.

But I'm a nobody.  I want to be really involved but don't know anyone and haven't done this before.

You can do whatever you want.  We are looking for strong energetic people who want Democrats to win in November.  Anyone who has Democratic values in mind is encouraged to get involved in this process.  We want you to be excited and willing to walk your neighborhood, meet your neighbors, and show everyone Democrats are great neighbors to have!  See you at the Mass Meetings!