Here is a quick translation of some of the most common bits of political jargon:
BPOU - Basic Political Organizational Unit (in a House/Senate District. Ours is 66) and it's on of the smallest units of political organization. It's the group you'll caucus with early in an election year. It consists of several precincts, but depending on population density it's geographical size can vary. In rural areas it can be a county (or even multiple counties), but in a major metropolis a single city can consist of a number of BPOUs.
CD - Congressional District, which are determined by the last US Census. Each Congressional District sends one Representative to the US House. It consists of a number of BPOUs, and each BPOU sends delegates to help nominate a candidate.
HD - House District, Each House District sends one Representative to the Minnesota Legislature. Two House Districts make up one Senate District.
SD - Senate District, Each Senate District sends one Senator to the Minnesota Legislature.
RNC - Republican National Committee and is the national governing body of the Republican Party.
RPM - Republican Party of Minnesota, and is the state governing body of the Minnesota Republican Party.
Call - The official notice of a party convention or meeting.
Caucus - A party meeting.
Delegate - A person elected to represent their group at higher party meetings. Delegates are usually elected based on the candidates or positions that they support.
Endorsement - When the delegates vote as a party unit to support a candidate. The candidate may then receive party resources to support his or her election efforts. However, endorsed candidates must still win the party's nomination at the primary election.
Election Judge - A person nominated by a major party and appointed by a city or township to administer voting at a precinct polling place.
Major Party - A party receiving the support of 5% of the number of people voting at the last state general election and a vote in each of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Nomination - Candidates must be nominated before their names will be listed on the November election ballot. Major party candidates are nominated at the state primary election.
Party Platform - The list of principles and issues positions that guide candidates, workers and members of a political party.
Precinct - A voting district containing one polling place.
Resolution - A written statement of an idea, issue, concern or action for people to consider at a caucus for possible addition to the party platform.
BPOU - Basic Political Organizational Unit (in a House/Senate District. Ours is 66) and it's on of the smallest units of political organization. It's the group you'll caucus with early in an election year. It consists of several precincts, but depending on population density it's geographical size can vary. In rural areas it can be a county (or even multiple counties), but in a major metropolis a single city can consist of a number of BPOUs.
CD - Congressional District, which are determined by the last US Census. Each Congressional District sends one Representative to the US House. It consists of a number of BPOUs, and each BPOU sends delegates to help nominate a candidate.
HD - House District, Each House District sends one Representative to the Minnesota Legislature. Two House Districts make up one Senate District.
SD - Senate District, Each Senate District sends one Senator to the Minnesota Legislature.
RNC - Republican National Committee and is the national governing body of the Republican Party.
RPM - Republican Party of Minnesota, and is the state governing body of the Minnesota Republican Party.
Call - The official notice of a party convention or meeting.
Caucus - A party meeting.
Delegate - A person elected to represent their group at higher party meetings. Delegates are usually elected based on the candidates or positions that they support.
Endorsement - When the delegates vote as a party unit to support a candidate. The candidate may then receive party resources to support his or her election efforts. However, endorsed candidates must still win the party's nomination at the primary election.
Election Judge - A person nominated by a major party and appointed by a city or township to administer voting at a precinct polling place.
Major Party - A party receiving the support of 5% of the number of people voting at the last state general election and a vote in each of Minnesota's 87 counties.
Nomination - Candidates must be nominated before their names will be listed on the November election ballot. Major party candidates are nominated at the state primary election.
Party Platform - The list of principles and issues positions that guide candidates, workers and members of a political party.
Precinct - A voting district containing one polling place.
Resolution - A written statement of an idea, issue, concern or action for people to consider at a caucus for possible addition to the party platform.
