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Scrambled races for the U.S. Senate and Minnesota governor and an ongoing immigration operation lend to more unpredictability in Tuesday’s precinct caucuses that serve as the starting line for voters and a possible winnowing point for candidates.

In the last month alone: Gov. Tim Walz abandoned his campaign for a third term and left the DFL nomination open; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar moved to fill that governor’s race void for her party; a notable GOP candidate dropped out and cited fallout from the federal deportation push as a cause.

The U.S. Senate race for a seat that will come open due to Sen. Tina Smith’s upcoming retirement also saw some new additions. Former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya started a campaign after national Republican recruiting efforts. 

The immigration crackdown stirred tensions on the DFL side as two leading candidates — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig — feuded over federal immigration laws.

With all that’s going on, DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom is bracing for record turnout on his side.

“I think that precinct caucuses is an act of political speech, where they can show up, participate in the process and help determine who will be the Democratic standard bearer in November,” Carlbom said. “And I'm excited to do precinct caucuses this year because it's so important for us to have that moment of convening for people to be heard.”

Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash said current events are drawing people toward political participation. 

“There is a strong motivation for people that want to show up and voice their concern, get involved in the process, maybe support their favorite candidate for whatever position,” Plechash said.

He added, “It’s going to be an interesting season.”

Minnesota's 2026 precinct caucuses, explained

These are neighborhood gatherings held around Minnesota that all begin at the same time: 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 this year. 

There are thousands of individual caucuses. Some are in school buildings, community centers or town halls. There are locations that play host to multiple political parties in the same building.

There are speeches, sometimes from party leaders or candidates.

Participants vote in nonbinding straw ballots listing candidates for governor. They discuss party platform planks for consideration at the spring state conventions. Delegates to future conventions in local and the state conventions are drawn from the pool of caucus attendees, who seek the support of their neighbors to move on.

Parties operate the caucuses — major parties must hold them — although there are also state laws that govern the minimum standards.

Any voter in Minnesota can attend a caucus of the party they align with politically. Minnesota doesn’t have party registration, but attendance forms do require people to attest that they generally share the principles of that party. In other words, people can only participate in one party’s caucus each year.

Younger Minnesotans can participate as well. In the DFL and state Republican Party, 16-year-olds can attend. But to get elected to party officer positions, they must be 18 by the time of that year’s general election. 

Employers are required to offer time off for people who would otherwise be scheduled to work during the caucus time as long as sufficient notice is given by the employee.

Are there accommodations for people who can’t attend in person?

There is an absentee option for voters in the Republican Party that requires a person to fill out a form. The DFL Party also has non attendee forms available for those uncomfortable with or unable to meet in person.

Mindful of the ongoing immigration operation, the DFL Party is taking additional steps to provide reassurance to potential attendees.

Party leaders have issued guidance that there will be constitutional observers on hand in case of ICE activity as well as a legal hotline for caucus organizers and “on-site legal support in high-need precincts.”

Interpreters will also be present and party leaders distributed instructions on what to do if federal authorities show up, which include denying access to caucus space without proper warrants.

Because they are party-run functions, the major parties will usually list information on their web pages:

What’s on the straw ballots? Are results binding?

Only the race for governor will be on the party preference ballots. That’s because it’s required by law to be listed. Neither Republicans nor the DFL decided to add their internal U.S. contests to the ballot.

The results are not binding, meaning people who express a preference for one candidate now can go on to back others later. 

In practice though, the outcome can do more to winnow the field than anything. Candidates who can’t muster much support tend to see fundraising dry up and sometimes leave the race soon after. 

It can also provide momentum for candidates seen as in the top tier or breaking away from the pack.

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Voters get their first chance to help shape key Minnesota political races at Feb. 3 precinct caucuses. The neighborhood gatherings come as top races see churn and an immigration operation has heightened tensions. 

Minnesota precinct caucuses offer first venue for voters in chock-full 2026 campaign

DFL caucus convenor Saoudy Saoudy leads Eden Prarie's 10th precinct

Minnesota precinct caucuses offer first venue for voters in chock-full 2026 campaign

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