The big decisions - from party platforms to political candidate endorsements - may be made at the state or national level, but they don't start there. They start out with the people in your area, say organizers of area precinct caucuses.

"It's a way that people can have a grassroots input into government," said Marshall resident and former Minnesota state senator Arlene Lesewski.

"Caucuses are real grassroots democracy," said Tim Buysse, chairman of the Lyon County DFL. "All caucus attendees can put forth resolutions that become part of the official platform of the DFL party if voted in at the county and state conventions."

Caucuses start at 7 p.m. Tuesday across Minnesota. Organizers said area residents are encouraged to attend one of their local precinct caucuses.

There are several different things that are done at precinct caucuses, Buysse and Lesewski said. Some of the main focuses are on selecting political party officers, political candidates and platform issues. The results of straw votes at precinct caucuses are brought to county conventions, and on to state and national conventions.

The delegates to county conventions are also chosen at precinct caucuses, Lesewski said.

"That's one of the big things, is choosing delegates and alternates," she said. "The second is resolutions to be included in our platform."

This year, Buysse said, selecting a candidate for governor will be a key part of the caucuses.

"This is a gubernatorial election year, and the straw vote conducted at our caucuses will help separate the contenders from the also-rans," he said.

Individual precinct caucuses may be small, Lesewski said - for example, there are 33 Republican caucus precincts in Lyon County alone. In many places, several precinct caucuses will be held at the same location. Republican caucuses for Marshall and surrounding township precincts will all be held at Marshall Area Christian School. Meanwhile, DFL caucuses for all Lyon County precincts will be held at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Marshall, Buysse said.

Lesewski said it's important for people to participate in precinct caucuses because the resolutions they approve do go on to influence party positions at the state and even the national level.

At larger conventions, she said, "There's often a number of resolutions on the same things." For political representatives, it's an indicator of what issues are most important to the people.

"Delegates to the county convention chosen at the caucuses also have a voice in determining local party leadership as new officers will be elected," Buysse said.

Participation at a caucus isn't limited to adults either, Buysse said. Anyone who will be eligible to vote in Minnesota by Nov. 2, 2010 may vote in the gubernatorial preference ballot. Anyone age 16 or over may participate in caucus business.

Caucus organizers say they're hoping for a good turnout on Tuesday.

"I hope so," Lesewski said. "This is the time for people to say what they want to say."

More information on where to find your precinct caucuses is available on the Minnesota Secretary of State Web site, at caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us.