Republican voters from around Lyon County helped each other through the process of choosing caucus delegates and presenting resolutions, during precinct caucuses in Marshall. Around 50 people attended caucuses in Marshall, and caucuses were also held in Minneota and Tracy.

MARSHALL — It was a chance for people to play a hands-on role in state government, said volunteers at the Lyon County Republican caucus.

“This is really where it starts, where new ideas get generated,” said Braxton Seifert. Seifert was among the people helping organize a few different precinct caucuses from the Marshall area on Tuesday night.

Around 50 people gathered at Grace Life Church in Marshall for one of Lyon County’s three Republican precinct caucus locations. Caucuses were also held in Minneota and Tracy.

Factors like Tuesday’s wintry weather, and the fact that there was not going to be a presidential straw poll at the caucus, could affect the overall turnout, said David Sturrock, co-chairman of the Lyon County Republicans.

In the past, the chance to vote in a straw poll was something that drew many people to local precinct caucuses, regardless of political party, Sturrock said. In 2016, “Both parties got overwhelmed by the turnout,” he said. The 2016 Republican precinct caucus drew about 400 Lyon County residents, he said.

After that, legislation changed to have standalone presidential primaries instead of straw polls at Minnesota precinct caucuses, Sturrock said. However, gubernatorial straw polls still draw area residents to take part in caucuses – Sturrock estimated that about 90 Lyon County Republicans took part in a gubernatorial straw poll last year.

The caucus started out with volunteers reading messages from Republican political candidates. Seifert also spoke, encouraging Republicans to get active in the process to choose new state leadership after the DFL won control of the Minnesota House, Senate and governor’s office.

“Democrats are high taxes, abortion, and high spending. And that’s hurting us,” Seifert said.

Much of the caucus was taken up by selecting delegates to attend the Lyon County Republican convention in March. However, some residents did bring forward resolutions that will be considered for possible inclusion in the Republican party platform. One example was in Marshall’s Ward 1 precinct, where a resolution was brought forward in support of a “Never Again Bill” limiting the governor’s emergency powers.

Seifert said the caucus wasn’t only an opportunity to shape the Republican platform. “It gives us good ideas for bills in the Legislature,” he said. The caucus was “neighbors talking with neighbors,” he said.

There were some young observers at the caucus, as well. Hans Tramm said he was interested in checking out Tuesday’s caucus. “I just wanted to know what it was like, and to show support for the GOP,” he said.

Tramm didn’t know what to expect before sitting in on the Lynd Township caucus. “It’s something I can learn from,” he said.

The Lyon County Republican convention will be held at 9 a.m. on March 16, at the Marshall Area YMCA. At the county convention, delegates will be chosen to attend the Congressional District convention. After that comes the state convention, Sturrock said.