CACHE COUNTY – The leaders of local political parties are gearing up for their annual caucuses and convention events.
For Cache Democrats, their caucus night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 17 in the Biology and Natural Sciences Building (Room 102) on the campus of Utah State University.
On that same night, the much larger Cache Republican Party will gather in precinct meetings from 7 to 9 p.m. throughout the county.
Local GOP loyalists can find their respective precinct meetings by going online to www.precinctportal.org.
“Caucus night is an opportunity for locals to get to know like-minded people who live in their neighborhoods and precincts and to build community,” according to Shannon Rhodes, the chair of the Cache Democratic Party.
“(We) are an open party,” she adds, “so you don’t have to be a registered Democrat to participate.”
On the Republican side of local politics, GOP Chair Natalie Levi says caucus night is when registered Republicans in each precinct meet to elect precinct officers and choose delegates who will represent them at county and state conventions.
“This is the grassroots foundation of the party,” she emphasizes, “where neighbors organize, discuss issues and select the people who help determine party leadership and nominees.”
Both Democrats and Republicans require valid identification to participate in caucus activities on Mar. 17.
The Democratic convention for Cache County will follow caucus night beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 28 in the Auditorium at Logan High School.
That gathering will provide an opportunity for local Democrats to hear from congressional candidates as well as those running for the state Legislature, county races and local school boards.
Rhodes explains that nominees for strictly county races will also be decided at the local Democratic convention, along with delegates to the state convention.
The County GOP Convention will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Ridgeline High School in Millville.
For additional information about Democratic activities, local residents are advised to call 435-881-9225 or contact Shannon Rhodes at rhodesshannon@gmail.com
For additional information about Republican activities, local resident are advised to contact Natalie Levi at chaircachegop@gmail.com
The USU Biology and Natural Resources building is located east of the Taggart Student Center and the University Inn.
Logan High School is located at 162 West, 100 South in Logan.
Ridgeline High School is located at 180 North, 200 West in Millville.