People might think Tuesday, Feb. 5, is just an ordinary day.

It’s not.

On Super Tuesday, voters in 24 states will select their choice for their respective presidential party nominees. Whether a Democrat, Republican or Independent, Minnesota voters can voice their choice at caucuses, beginning at 7 p.m. in several sites across the county.

“This is the opportunity for the average citizen to influence who is going to be on the ballot,” said Meeker County Republican party chair Mike Housman of Dassel. “If you don’t participate on Feb. 5, your voice is lost except in the general election.”

Caucuses have three main functions, Housman said. The first is to establish party platforms. Attendees can make recommendations for platform changes, bring forth issues important to them, or write a resolution and have it voted on by attendees, grouped geographically in Meeker County’s 29 precincts, Meeker County DFL chair Steve Ward of Dassel said.

Another function of a caucus is to elect delegates and alternates for the county and state conventions that take place in the spring and summer.

The most anticipated part of the caucus for GOP and DFL parties will be the presidential preference ballot. Democratic party members may fill out a ballot from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The ballot is “binding” and presidential and national convention delegates are allocated to candidates based on the percentage of votes they win.

The Republicans conduct a straw ballot, Housman said. Straw polls may or may not be binding to the election of delegates.

Caucuses are free and open to the public. Voting is open to anyone who will legally be eligible to vote at the general election, Nov. 4, and supports a particular party. Anyone 16 or older may participate in caucus business.

To determine which caucus to attend, check out Precinct Caucus finder on the Secretary of State Office’s Web site, www.sos.state.mn.us. The finder displays time and locations, as provided by political parties.

Read the complete Jan. 31 story in the Independent Review print edition.