After High Turnout, Renewed Calls To Replace Minnesota’s Caucus System

ST. PAUL (AP) - Opponents of Minnesota's precinct caucus system are renewing calls to do away with the state's participation-intensive voting process.

Rep. Pat Garofalo announced Tuesday night as votes were coming in that he planned to author a bill to replace the state's caucus system with a presidential primary. The replacement push is not new, but it comes on the heels of record turnout in the state that had caucus sites bursting at the seams.

Caucus opponents have long argued the insider nature of the caucus system discourages the average citizen from voting and that in years of high turnout, volunteers and facilities can become overwhelmed.

Parties and caucus supporters have long said that the caucus system allows ordinary citizens an entry point into the political process and benefits grassroots politics.