More Americans will vote for the next American Idol than for President of the United States, but 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. <!--[if !supportLists]--> <!--[endif]-->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 !supportLists]-->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.<!--[endif]-->
3. <!--[if !supportLists]-->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.<!--[endif]-->

Attending your political party caucus on Tuesday March 25^th is more important than voting for American Idol, and even more important than voting in November.

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: www.utgop.org
For Democrats: 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.

How do I become a delegate?

Are you interested in becoming a delegate? Follow these important steps:

1. Plan now to attend your precinct caucus or mass meeting on March 25, 2008.
2. Check the convention schedule and make sure you can attend.
3. Tell your friends and neighbors that you are interested in becoming a county or state delegate.
4. Encourage your friends and neighbors to go to the caucus meeting and to vote for you. Remember: only registered voters living in your precinct can vote at your caucus meeting. Only registered Republicans can vote at Republican caucus meetings. (Democratic meetings are open to all registered voters.)
5. Check with your county party for any specific rules applying to delegate elections in your area. (In some areas, precinct party officers also fill delegate positions. In these areas, you may want to run to become a precinct chair, vice-chair, etc.)
6. On the night of the meeting, take friends and neighbors to the meeting with you or remind them to attend.
7. At the meeting, announce your desire to become a delegate and have someone nominate you.
8. Be prepared to answer questions about why you are running.

If you are elected as a delegate, be sure to fulfill your responsibilities. Your supporters are counting on you!

Information compiled by HEAL Utah and Utahns for Public Schools
For more information call 801-355-5055 or e-mail jessica@healutah.org