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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What's a Caucus?

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Caucus meetings are held in March every other year, and they determine which candidates will run for office in the general election in November.  At caucus meetings, community members come together, discuss issues, and elect delegates to represent their neighborhood (called a precinct) in political conventions later that year.  It is at these conventions that candidates for government offices (such as governor, president, etc.) are selected.  Caucus meetings are an important part of the election process, and attending them is a great way for BYU students to make a difference as citizens in their community. Attending caucus meetings is also an important part of our duty as United States citizens and members of the Church. 

Why should I want to go to one?

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Since the founding of Brigham Young Academy 141 years ago, BYU students have used their education as an opportunity to influence the world for good.  In the mission and aims statement, it states:

 

All instruction, programs, and services at BYU, including a wide variety of extracurricular experiences, should make their own contribution toward the balanced development of the total person. Such a broadly prepared individual will not only be capable of meeting personal challenge and change but will also bring strength to others in the tasks of home and family life, social relationships, civic duty, and service to mankind.

 

Later in that same statement, it reads:

 

We believe the earnest pursuit of this institutional mission can have a strong effect on the course of higher education and will greatly enlarge Brigham Young University's influence in a world we wish to improve.

 

To read the complete statement, click here.

 

As students at Brigham Young University, our education should motivate us to engage in our communities.  As we do so, we influence the world around us for the better.

 

Attending caucus meetings is also an important part of good citizenship for Latter-day Saints.  In 2012, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement:

 

[In March], political parties in Utah will hold precinct caucus meetings. Precinct caucuses are the most fundamental grassroots level of political involvement. They are best served by a broad representation of Utah citizens. Those who attend play a critical role in selecting candidates for public office.

We are concerned with the decreasing attendance at these caucus meetings in Utah in recent years. We therefore ask that local leaders not schedule meetings on these [evenings] so that members may attend a caucus meeting of their choice. The locations of these meetings can be found on the websites of the respective political parties.

Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of the various political parties. We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings.

 

To read the complete article, click here.

 

In addition to being an important obligation for BYU students and Latter-day Saints, caucus meetings are a great way for students who care about public policy to get involved and make a difference.  Students who are elected as state or county delegates will have the opportunity to help select candidates for election within their party and gain experience with the election process.

What do I need to do to go to one?

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To participate in your caucus meeting, you will need to register to vote at your current address and locate your caucus meeting using our webpage.  Students who are interested in becoming as delegate can click here for more information.

Do I need to register to vote?

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If you want to be able to vote, run as a delegate, or speak in your caucus meeting, then yes, you will need to register yourself to vote.  If you are attending a Republican caucus meeting, then you will also need to be registered as a Republican.  If you are not a US citizen or are unable to register for whatever reason, you are still welcome to attend meetings as an observer.

How do I register with a political party?

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While filling out your voter registration form, there will be a space where you can indicate which political party you affiliate with.  If you have already registered as an independent, you will need to re-register online.  This only takes a few minutes and will allow you to speak and vote at your caucus meeting (NOTE: if you are attending a Democratic caucus, you will not need to register as a Democrat).

I don't know which party I should affiliate with.  What should I do?

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If you don't know which party you want to affiliate with, the best thing to do is read the party platform for each party (a platform is an official statement of political beliefs) and decide which one you agree with the most.  The platform for the Utah Democratic Party can be found here, and the platform for the Utah Republican Party can be found here.  You do not need to agree with everything in a party's platform to be a member of that party.  In fact, a political party is a coallition of different people with diverse political beliefs.  

I don't want to register with a political party.  Can I still attend?

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Caucus meetings are organized by political parties, so you will need to choose which party's meeting you wish to attend.  Republican caucuses require participants to be registered with the party.  You do not need to register as a Democrat to participate in a Democratic caucus.  Whether or not you are registered with a party, you can attend either meeting as an observer.

Caucus meetings are organized by political parties, so you will need to choose which party's meeting you wish to attend.  Republican caucuses require participants to be registered with the party.  You do not need to register as a Democrat to participate in a Democratic caucus.  Whether or not you are registered with a party, you can attend either meeting as an observer.

How do I find my meeting time and location?

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To find your meeting time and location, look at are map under "Find Your Meeting" above, or click here.

How do I verify that I am registered to vote?

You can verify your registration by going to vote.utah.gov and putting in your address.  

How do I vote in the 2016 presidential primary?

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You will vote through the Presidential Preference Caucus either online or in person at your caucus meeting.  If you are a Republican, you can do this online between 7 and 11 PM on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.  Click here for more information.

What is the Presidential Preference Caucus?

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The Presidential Preference Caucus is the way that Republicans will be voting in the 2016 presidential primary.  You can either go to your caucus meeting and vote for president in person or vote absentee online at the same time as your meeting (7-9 PM on March 22, 2016).  To register online or learn more about the Presidential Preference Caucus, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/o/utah-republican-party-9793478807.

The Presidential Preference Caucus is the way that Republicans will be voting in the 2016 presidential primary.  You can either go to your caucus meeting and vote for president in person or vote absentee online at the same time as your meeting (7-9 PM on March 22, 2016).  To register online or learn more about the Presidential Preference Caucus, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/o/utah-republican-party-9793478807.

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