Next Tuesday, March 25th, two events will compete for your votes: American Idol and your neighborhood political party caucus meetings.

More Americans will vote for the next American Idol than for President of the United States, but we want to remind you that on Tuesday you can do something important for democracy and get home in time to vote for your favorite idol.

Attend your political party’s neighborhood caucus meeting!  On Tuesday, March 25th, at 7:00 pm, voters around the state will gather at their neighborhood caucus meetings to help decide which candidates will appear on the ballot in November and the future direction of our state.

Here are our top 3 reasons you should attend your neighborhood caucus meeting and TiVo American Idol:

1.     Less than 2% of voters attend their party caucus meetings, which means your vote and opinion carry way more weight on this night than on election night.

2.     If you don’t like what’s on the menu, you need to get in the kitchen! Lack of participation on caucus night means legislators with broad conflicts of interest and special interest agendas continue to be the only choices come November.

3.     American Idol voting doesn’t start until 9:00 pm, so you can attend your caucus and still get home in time to vote.

Attending your political party caucus on Tuesday March 25th is more important than voting for American Idol, and even more important than voting in November.  Still not sure what caucuses are and why they are so important?  Read our FAQ section below, or visit our website at: www.healutah.org/takeaction/caucus

When do these meetings take place?

Meetings for both Republicans and Democrats are held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  Republicans call their meetings “caucuses”, and Democrats call them “mass meetings.”

How do I find out where I meet?

The meetings are organized by voting precinct.  The meeting locations are usually published in local newspapers a few days before caucus night (check this Sunday’s paper).  You can also contact your political party headquarters-either at the state or county level-to find the location.  More information is available for Republicans at www.utgop.org and for Democrats at http://www.utdemocrats.org/ht/d/sp/i/1139834/pid/1139834

Who can participate in a caucus or mass meeting?

The rules for participation are set by the respective party. The Utah Republican Party requires voters to be registered as Republicans if they want to vote or run as a delegate (you do not have to be registered to simply attend). The Utah Democratic Party is open to Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated voters.

What happens at a caucus or mass meeting?

Participating voters elect delegates to participate in the party’s county and state conventions. Those delegates’ votes will determine which candidates for office will be presented to voters in the primary or general election. Delegates also determine party officers and make important decisions about the party’s platform.  Participants also organize the party within their precinct by electing officers such as precinct chair, vice-chair, etc.

I’ve never been very political. Why should I attend a party caucus?

The fact is, a party caucus is the place where an ordinary person can have the most impact. Many important decisions about how our government is run are made long before November elections; they’re made in March at the caucus meetings and in the spring at conventions. This is where candidates are chosen and priorities are set. This is where we as a people determine the future direction of our communities. If mainstream voters don’t attend, they leave all those decisions to the more active members of their parties, who may hold far more extreme positions. If we want our elected officials to represent mainstream Utahns, then mainstream Utahns need to become more involved in the political process.

Plan now to attend a caucus on the evening of March 25, 2008!  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 801-355-5055 or
Jessica@healutah.org

Jessica Kendrick
Field Organizer
HEAL Utah