MARSHALL — Political parties in Lyon County are getting ready for precinct caucuses next week. County residents will be able to take part in shaping their parties’ political platforms and helping to choose candidates for office.

The Lyon County Republicans will be holding precinct caucuses in Marshall, Minneota and Tracy, starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Precinct caucuses for the Lyon County DFL will look different this year, however. Because of the rapidly changing COVID conditions in Minnesota, the Lyon County DFL will be holding a contactless precinct caucus. People can participate by submitting a non-attendee form by Feb. 1.

“The DFL Party’s contactless caucuses will protect the health of Minnesotans while preserving the grassroots democracy at the heart of our party which our caucuses embody,” said DFL party Chairman Ken Martin. “Now everyone from seasoned advocates to Minnesotans new to politics can safely help shape the future of our movement and take the first steps in deciding which candidates our party endorses.”

Caucus participants for both parties will have the chance to be elected as a delegates to county and district party conventions.

For Lyon County Republicans, one of the highlights of Tuesday’s caucus will be a gubernatorial straw poll. Caucus organizers said all active Republican candidates running against Gov. Tim Walz will be listed on the straw poll ballot.

The switch to a contactless format isn’t the only change facing DFL precinct caucuses in Minnesota next week. On Wednesday, the Minnesota DFL announced it will allow Minnesotans who are not eligible to vote to participate in the DFL’s caucus and convention process.

In a statement Wednesday, Martin said Minnesotans who are non-citizen immigrants, or are ex-felons who have served their time but are on parole or probation, can caucus and become DFL convention candidates.

The change follows a decision by the Minnesota Court of Appeals earlier this month.

“The DFL Party believes strongly in a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and in re-enfranchising ex-felons who have paid their debts to society,” Martin said. “Thanks to our historic rule change and the tremendous work of so many of our allies and partners, we are living those values by opening our caucus and convention process.”

The Minnesota GOP responded to the announcement by saying the DFL was violating Minnesota law.

In a statement Wednesday, Republican Party of Minnesota chairman David Hann said, “Citizenship comes with certain rights and privileges. Non-citizens do not have those rights and should not gain those privileges. Citizenship is the foundation of the civic compact. By rejecting citizenship, the DFL has rejected the foundation of our democratic republic.”

In Lyon County, there will be three Republican precinct caucuses that residents can attend based on where they live. Caucuses will be held at the Grace Life Church gymnasium in Marshall, the Minneota High School Music Room, and the Tracy Area High School media center. The caucuses are open to any Minnesotan who identifies with the Republican Party and will be eligible to vote by Nov. 8.

To participate in the DFL contactless caucus, Lyon County residents can go to dfl.org/caucus and fill out a non-attendee form. If they choose, they can also fill out a resolution form. The two forms will allow caucus-goers to be delegates to future DFL conventions and submit resolutions to the party’s agenda and platform.

Once a non-attendee form is filled out, it can be emailed to lyoncountymndfl@gmail.com, or be physically printed out and dropped off at caucus locations Feb. 1. The two dropoff locations will be at the Adult Community Center in Marshall and Twin Circles Apartments in Tracy. Staff will be present from 6:30 to 9 p.m. to accept forms and help participants.

Lyon County Republican precinct caucuses

• When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1

• Where: Grace Life Church gymnasium in Marshall (for residents of Cottonwood, Lynd, Marshall, Russell and Clifton, Coon Creek, Fairview, Lake Marshall, Lucas, Lynd, Lyons, Sodus and Stanley townships); Minneota High School music room (for residents of Ghent, Minneota, Taunton and Eidsvold, Grandview, Island Lake, Nordland, Vallers and Westerheim townships); Tracy Area High School media center (for residents of Balaton, Florence, Garvin, Tracy and Amiret, Custer, Monroe, Rock Lake and Shelburne townships).

Lyon County DFL contactless precinct caucuses

• When: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1

• Where: Staffers will be present at the Marshall Adult Community Center and Twin Circles Apartments in Tracy to collect non-attendee forms. Go to dfl.org/caucus to fill out a Precinct Caucus Non-Attendee Form and a Resolution Form.