Caucus Night 2026
Farmington Junior High, March 17th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Join us to prepare members of the Utah Democratic Party to become legislative and precinct chairs. By becoming delegates and participating in the political process we illustrate the diversity of our communities.
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by the majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote –a very different thing.”-Walter H Judd
Why Would I Want to be a Delegate?
Were you frustrated during the last legislative session, wondering what you could do to make a difference? Becoming a delegate within the Utah Democratic Party will give you a voice in putting fair-minded candidates on the ballot.
Making a difference in your community begins in discussions with your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors; once you become a delegate you can represent your views and the views of your neighbors and co-workers by becoming a powerful voice in your party.
To achieve a fair and just Utah for every Utahn, your participation in all levels of the political process is crucial. Becoming a delegate is an important first step in electing fair-minded candidates to office. You can be that delegate.
Delegates are also the grassroots organizers of their political party and when delegates are active, fair-minded candidates win!
Delegates are individuals who have the power to elect candidates within the political parties. They make the decision about who represents the party in the primaries and the general elections. They also elect State and County party officers.
Learning how to be an effective delegate and participating in the (electoral) precinct process will allow our community to play a role in placing fair-minded candidates on the front lines of politics.
In order to change the faces on Capitol Hill, we must change the names on the ballots. As a delegate, you have the power to make that change.
What is a Precinct Caucus Meeting?
Precinct Caucus meetings, also known as “Neighborhood Caucus Night” are held by the political parties every even numbered year to organize the precincts and elect county party delegates. We encourage you to attend so that you can be elected as a delegate to your county party.
A precinct is the smallest political organizing unit in the state. Basically, precincts are the households in your neighborhood. A precinct will vary in size and population determined the precinct boundaries. Local municipalities draw the precinct boundaries.
● Precinct Caucus meetings typically take place at libraries, schools, city halls, or in the home of someone who lives in your neighborhood. Many counties offer ways to participate remotely as well.
● Anyone who attends a Precinct Caucus meeting can nominate other attendees or themselves to become a delegate or precinct officer.
● You need to know the name/number of your precinct in order to attend your precinct caucus meeting. Contact your County Clerk to determine your precinct name/number.
● The exact location of your meeting will be posted on the county or state party website. You can also call your local county political party for more information.
● Bring a photo ID with you to your Precinct Caucus meeting.
What is a delegate and how do I get elected as a County Party Delegate?
What is a County Party Delegate?
A delegate is an elected representative to the county political party from their precinct. Delegates are elected at the Precinct Caucus meetings. Any person who will be age 18 by the general election and has lived in Utah at least 30 days immediately before the next election can be a delegate.
● Delegates represent their precinct and attend & vote at all County Party Conventions.
● Depending on the county you live in, a county party delegate may also be a state party delegate. Contact your county party to determine the process for becoming a state delegate.
● Delegates assist Precinct Chairs with political organizing in their legislative district.
● Delegates vote on the content of their party platforms and governing documents.
Other Things to remember:● Delegates are elected for two-year terms.
● Each county is allocated a specific number of delegates, and
● Delegates can come to free training about how they can make a big
impact as a neighborhood organizer – beyond just voting at Convention.
What are the responsibilities of a delegate?● Attend and vote at ALL County Party Conventions and give prompt notice to the Precinct and House District Chair if unable to attend. (Time commitment is about 10 hours per year.)
● Assist the Precinct Chair with political organizing at the precinct & legislative district levels.
How do I get elected as a County Party Delegate?
Typically to get elected as a county party delegate, you will need to run a “mini-campaign” for yourself. Depending on the city and county that you live in, it can be very competitive to get yourself elected as a delegate and you should be prepared.
Process:
Contact your neighbors and the political party activists in your precinct and encourage them to attend and vote for you at the Precinct Caucus meeting. Make sure to pre-register. This will save time at check in.
Ensure that all of your supporters show up at the precinct caucus to vote for you.
During the Precinct Caucus meeting, individuals who are running for a delegate position will give a speech or will be asked to talk about why they are interested in becoming a delegate.
Whenthemeetingiscomingtoanend,thegroupofattendeeswill vote for their new delegates and elect new precinct officers.
Be prepared to stay at the meeting the whole time (about 2 hours), because voting takes place at the end.
Generally, check in begins at 6:00 pm and call to order is at 7:00 pm. The event should end around 8:00pm. Contact your local county party for additional information.
What is a...?
What is a House District Chair?
The person voted by the Precinct Chairs to organize in the House Legislative district in which they live.
The House District Chair is a key position within the state and county party structure in helping to organize for elections and party building activities.
The person responsible for ensuring that Precinct Caucus meetings in their district are organized.
In Salt Lake County, it is the person responsible for communicating the names of elected delegates to the county parties, as well as filling vacated positions
In the rest of the state, the county chair is responsible for filling vacated positions.
The person responsible for working with candidates and organizing volunteers within the legislative district.
House District chairs are elected in odd numbered years. House Districts entirely within a county vote for a chair at their county conventions. House Districts in more than one county vote for a chair at the state convention.
Definitions:
Precinct Caucus —a grass-roots meeting that is held for political organizing purposes
Delegate—a person elected at a precinct caucus meeting who votes at their party convention to elect the party’s nominees to run in the primary and general elections and helps organize their precinct for elections
House District Chair—person elected by precinct chairs to organize their legislative district and work with precinct officers, delegates, candidates and potential candidates.
Organizing Convention—a convention that occurs in the odd-numbered years to elect State Party officers, County Party officers and review party platforms.
Nominating Convention—a convention that occurs in even-numbered years so that delegates can elect their party’s nominees to run in the primary and general elections
Precinct— the smallest political organizing unit in a geographical area. Your precinct number is usually printed on your voter registration card.
Precinct Caucus—a political party meeting of the voters in a precinct that is held to elect delegates and precinct officers. Both parties hold precinct caucus meetings in an even numbered year on the same date (typically in late March).
Precinct Chair—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting. Responsibilities include being a member of the County Party Central Committee, organizes precinct for elections, possibly hosts the precinct caucus meeting in the next even numbered year, works with the Legislative Chair to help organize district
Precinct Vice-Chair—elected by attendees at the Precinct Caucus meeting, member/attendee of the County Party Central Committee, assist Precinct Chair in duties, assume the duties of the Chair in their absence
Precinct Secretary—elected by attendees at the precinct caucus meeting, keeps accurate minutes, records, and lists for the precinct
How a Candidate Becomes Elected and Key Dates
County Delegates are Elected at Caucus Night
March 17, 2026
Farmington Jr. High School
6:00 pm
Delegates attend County Nominating Convention
April 11th, 2026
Northridge High School
(Held during even numbered years)
Delegates nominate the Party’s candidates (including County offices) and elect State Delegates.
State Delegates attend State Nominating Convention
April 25, 2026
TBD
(Held during even numbered years after all County Organizing Conventions have been held)
State Delegates elect Party candidates in contested races
(including statewide offices)
State Delegates approve the party platform and vote on platform amendments