ST. PAUL — Minnesota is on the verge of joining as many as two dozen states that will weigh in on the presidential race with caucuses or primaries on Feb. 5.

Leaders of the state Republican and Democratic parties said Monday that they’re likely to hold precinct caucuses a month earlier than usual. With the nation’s political calendar shifting forward, party leaders said moving the caucuses from March to February would be vital in giving state voters a say in the nominating contests.
“I like to think Minnesotans have good common sense, so it will be a shame to not have Minnesota’s voice heard as we choose the nominees for both major parties,” said state Republican Party chairman Ron Carey.

Carey said there’s a “90 percent probability” the caucus date will be accelerated. His party’s executive committee intends to decide on the issue next month.

The Minnesota DFL’s executive committee has already given preliminary approval to the change and a final decision by the party leaders will be made by late September, said associate party chairwoman Donna Cassutt.

“In the past, folks have felt we have been sort of left behind in the presidential race,” Cassutt said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm in our party to move forward with Feb. 5.”

The party leaders met Monday with Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who said he wouldn’t stand in the way.

“We’re here to be helpful to the parties if the parties want to move in that direction,” he said, adding, “Since the weather will be roughly the same — which I believe is the largest determinant of actual turnout — then being part of the excitement of the early president race is a big plus.”

In May, the state Senate approved a bill that would reschedule caucuses from March to February. The House took no action.

Party officials say they think the change can be made without legislative authorization. They cite 2000 as precedent. That year, the DFL Party unilaterally moved its caucuses from a Tuesday to the weekend to encourage broader participation.

Iowa and New Hampshire are determined to keep their status as the first states to decide, but South Carolina and Nevada are nipping at their heels.

Illinois, California, New York and New Jersey are among the 20 states that have either set a Feb. 5 date or are very likely to do so.

That day is the earliest the Minnesota parties could hold the caucuses without being penalized by their respective national committees.

The frontloaded schedule could mean that both parties will have their nominees designated a full nine months ahead of the general election.

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