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Caucuses were held Tuesday, Feb. 2 at about 48 locations all across Chisago County. The Press this year visited DFL caucus gatherings inside the Chisago Lakes High School, where precincts for Center City, Chisago City and Chisago Lake Township met.

There were also Republican caucus gatherings held for those same precincts.

Caucus action is where issues are identified, resolutions calling for action are voted on and politically-active people can volunteer to attend district and state, and eventually get chosen for national conventions, for their parties.

Resolutions acted upon last week ranged from support for light rail transit to getting out of Afghanistan and everything in between. There was a straw ballot on governor candidates, but no clear mandate came from this in the caucuses we attended. Also, gubenatorial candidate Mark Dayton wasn't in straw balloting because he won't seek "endorsement" so many who said they would vote for him chose "uncommitted" on their ballot.

In Minnesota caucuses are the grassroots beginnings of the political season. On top of discussing issues the caucus attendees sometimes hear from candidates themselves, or there are statements/letters read by candidatess spokespersons.

State and congressional district conventions gradually bring together citizens and resolutions on issues

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