Minnesota’s 2026 precinct caucuses will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m., giving voters an early opportunity to shape their political party’s platform and candidate endorsements.
Caucuses are organized by each major political party. They’re open to anyone eligible to vote in Minnesota who generally agrees with that party’s values. Voters don’t register by party in Minnesota, they simply attend the caucus of the party they align with.
At the meetings, attendees can elect precinct officers, suggest resolutions for the party’s platform and vote for delegates to attend upcoming conventions. Some parties may also hold nonbinding preference ballots, sometimes referred to as straw polls.
Carver County Republican (GOP) Party
The Carver County GOP will host caucuses at five locations, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and programming starting at 7 p.m.:
- Chanhassen High School
- Victoria Elementary School
- Central High School
- Waconia High School
- Watertown City Hall
Republican caucus-goers will elect delegates and alternates, select precinct officers and vote in a preference ballot for governor.
More information: carvergop.org
Carver County Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party
The Carver County DFL will begin caucuses at 6:30 p.m. at the following locations, depending on legislative district:
- Chaska High School – House District 48B (Chanhassen & most of Chaska)
- Waconia Middle School – House District 48A (Waconia, Victoria, Mayer & part of Chaska)
- Waconia Middle School – House District 17B (Carver, NYA, Watertown & surrounding areas)
The DFL caucuses will include delegate selection, platform discussion and opportunities to get involved ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
More information: swmetrodems.org or facebook.com/SWMetroDemocrats
Find Your Caucus Location
Voters can look up their specific precinct caucus location by entering their address into the state’s poll finder tool: pollfinder.sos.mn.gov
Know Your Rights
Under Minnesota law (Statute 202A.19), residents may take time off work without pay to attend a caucus, as long as they give their employer written notice at least 10 days in advance.
Public schools and government entities are not allowed to hold meetings or events after 6 p.m. on caucus night.
If you’re unable to attend but still want to participate, you can submit a non-attendee form through your party.
What Is a Caucus, Anyway?
Caucuses are grassroots meetings where political parties organize and build their local presence. They are not elections, they’re more like neighborhood gatherings that help shape the early steps of the political process.
To learn more, visit the Secretary of State’s caucus explainer: sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses
