SCEF: Civic Engagement Column: Midterms and caucusing
By Olivia Stevermer
In the previous civic engagement column, we covered voting; but your democratic process has more opportunity for engagement than just the obligatory cast ballot every 4 years for the Presidential election. This year, we are gearing up for midterm elections on November 3rd 2026. These “off-year” elections are not powerless or arbitrary. The midterms will have a number of very powerful seats on the ballot – they essentially are our elected checks and balances to executive power. This includes U.S Representatives and Senators, State Representatives and Senators, Governor & Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General and a number of Judicial Seats.
It isn’t uncommon that midterm elections bring more members of the minority political party to chambers of governance. If anyone is unenthused about the administration elected in the last presidential election, then midterms are the time to implement stronger checks and balances that make it harder for said administration to pass policy.
If you want a say in the candidates and party platforms on the ballot in November, there is a process called caucusing coming up in Minnesota on February 3. If you have ever heard of a “party endorsed candidate,” whether that be the DFL or GOP candidate, these precinct caucuses are the first in a series of meetings where those endorsed candidates and other party values and platforms get decided.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, precinct caucuses are meetings run by Minnesota’s political parties, where in general, three main activities happen. First, caucasus choose volunteers who will organize political activities in the precinct. Next, they discuss issues and ideas for the party to support. Anyone can present an issue or idea, called a resolution. If you can convince other attendees to support your resolution, it will be taken to the next political convention. Eventually, your resolution could become part of the official party platform. Finally, people who attend caucuses will choose delegates who endorse candidates at future conventions. Party delegates will eventually endorse state and federal candidates, including for the gubernatorial race. Political parties have different ways of choosing delegates at the precinct level caucus, and you can contact your party for more information.
We at SCEF like to think of civic engagement as a “yes, and” situation. While midterms and elections in general are important tools for democracy, they are not the end-all-be-all of changemaking. To be civically engaged you need to know and understand your human rights, the fact that they exist outside of governmental declaration, and that, regardless of actions being taken, you still have these rights. Do not comply in advance. Act in alignment with the rights you want to hold; if you believe in freedom of speech then speak freely. Continue to look for opportunities to make your voice heard, and please share any opportunities you are passionate about with SCEF. Stay safe, stay warm, and love thy neighbor (regardless of where they may be from).
