Political parties may have varying views of the issues and candidates for office.

But precinct caucuses to be conducted Tuesday around the state will offer participants similar experiences: Straw polls on gubernatorial candidates will be taken, delegates to conventions will be elected, and planks in party platforms will be considered.

DFL Party caucuses in Koochiching County will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rainy River Community College. The DFL Party county convention is scheduled for noon March 7 at the college.

Republican Party caucuses will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Falls High school cafeteria. The Republican Party county convention is scheduled for Feb. 13.

Independence Party caucuses for residents of Koochiching and surrounding counties will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Billy’s at Breezy Point, in Pequot Lakes. Voters may participate in an online caucus at www.independenceminnesota.org through March 2.

Early interest in the November election is “palpable, almost stunning,” said Terry Stone, chairman of the Koochiching County GOP and executive of the GOP’s Eighth Congressional District.

What’s prompting that interest is simple, he said. “It’s just good, old discontentment with what’s going on in Washington and being mirrored in St. Paul,” said Stone.

And while Stone said caucuses can be ineffective, he said attendance is important. “They’re sometimes rowdy and frequently ill organized,” he said, adding that he hopes to change that perception. “You’re dealing with strangers many times instead of people that share a common goal.”

The biggest problem with caucuses, in many cases, he said, is that they are dominated by a party core each year.

“We need wider participation and we need a change,” he said. Those concerns are under active discussion by a Minneapolis think tank and others, he said. “The problem is pretty obvious, but it’s tough to fix because it serves both parties extremely well.”

With “party-line purists” showing up at caucuses, candidates who are “not far left, not far right” often have a tough time getting endorsed.

Joe Boyle, DFL Party chairman in Koochiching County, said participation in caucuses is a way to make change that will benefit loved ones, friends and members of the community.

He pointed to the health care issue. “We all wrestle with health insurance and the cost of health care for ourselves, our friends, our children and it’s something that in our society is a major problem; and it’s not in other societies in other countries,” he explained. “The only way to get real change is by people being involved and really understanding the facts. It’s better for all of us to not sit on the couch all the time.”

He said there are many other issues that impact our country and community.

“Talking with other people and electing people that support your concerns is what you do when you participate in precinct caucuses, ultimately,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stone said discontentment in the status quo is spurring large numbers of candidates. He noted that six Republican, or Grand Old Party, candidates are seeking the governor’s position and six are seeking the Eighth District House of Representative seat currently held by Democrat Jim Oberstar.

“We have choices at the caucus level and choices at the county convention, and this is not typical,” said Stone. “In Minnesota, electing House members at the state level and electing a governor — that convergence of facts is a first for Minnesota and leading to a lot of excitement.”

Stone said he plans to conduct the local Republican caucuses in an organized format and is sending letters to interested members telling about the candidates for governor and asking them to do their homework.

Boyle said the past year’s economic turmoil is reason enough for people to get involved.

“Getting better educated is really a responsibility of all of us,” he said. “For those lucky enough to have any kind of investment portfolio, you know what happened last year right before George Bush left office — the whole economy collapsed.”

Boyle continued: “It’s important to participate. It’s important not to have the economy collapse, it’s important to keep jobs and maintain fundamental services for everyone, especially our loved ones.”

All of the party caucuses will include what organizers say is a very important straw poll vote on candidates for governor. And electing delegates to the convention is also an important step in the political process.

What would Stone tell people about the caucuses? “Attend them. It is so important. Everything people whine about, and I am not saying they’re not right, there are serious things to whine about — but it all starts at the caucuses. In the end, to some extent, we end up with what we deserve. Let’s deserve the best.”

Boyle also urged would-be caucus participants: “If you come, you generally have the opportunity to really affect who your officials are and what positions they take.”

The Independence Party is attempting to make participation in caucuses easier.

“We certainly want to encourage everyone’s participation in this fundamental grassroots political process,” said Kari Johnson-Robinson, director. “The Independence Party is recognized by the Secretary of State’s Office for our effort to progressively include greater participation through our online caucus.”