Lyon County residents will have a chance to help shape political platforms for Minnesota’s major parties later this month. On Feb. 27, both Lyon County Republicans and the Lyon County DFL will be holding precinct caucuses at locations around the county.

The precinct caucus is a separate event from Minnesota’s presidential primary, which will be held March 5, caucus organizers said. At precinct caucuses, Lyon County residents will elect delegates for political party conventions that will be held later this spring. After precinct caucuses, each political party will hold county or House/Senate District conventions, Congressional District conventions, state conventions, and finally national conventions.

Precinct caucuses are also a time when local residents can make their voices heard on different issues, by proposing resolutions that could become part of the party platform.

All caucuses will start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27, organizers said. The Lyon County DFL caucus will be held at the Adult Community Center in Marshall. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available.

There will be three different Republican precinct caucus locations in Lyon County – at the Grace Life Church gymnasium in Marshall, the Minneota High School art room, and the Tracy Area High School media center.

The Marshall caucus location will be for precincts including the cities of Cottonwood, Lynd, Marshall and Russell, and for Clifton, Coon Creek, Fairview, Lake Marshall, Lucas, Lynd, Lyons, Sodus and Stanley Townships.

The Minneota caucus location will be for precincts including the cities of Ghent, Minneota and Taunton, as well as Eidsvold, Grandview, Island Lake, Nordland, Vallers and Westerheim Townships.

The Tracy caucus location will be for precincts including the cities of Balaton, Florence, Garvin and Tracy, and Amiret, Custer, Monroe, Rock Lake and Shelburne Townships.