Madison County Democrats will hold Iowa-type mock caucus

The Madison County Democratic Party is holding a caucus to coincide with the Iowa presidential caucus on Monday night.

Democratic voters are invited to support their candidates. Undecided voters are also welcome to attend, listen and then decide to support a candidate.

This is how it will work:

Participants will check in. There will be three designated areas for the three announced Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley.

Participants can go directly to the area of their candidate, or have a seat. A facilitator will run the meeting, which will begin at 6:30p.m. Participants will discuss issues, designate a campaign representative, who will deliver a speech supporting their candidate.

Campaigns may chose multiple speakers but each campaign will be given six minutes maximum. After the speeches, undecided voters can approach the campaigns to ask questions. Voters will chose a campaign by joining one of the groups. Up until the final count, voters may move between campaigns. The campaign count will then be announced. Results from each location will be sent to Straw Poll Central in Edwardsville so countywide results can be determined.

Participants can bring snacks, but alcohol is not permitted. Participants can also bring children, but only voting-age attendees will be counted.

Participants can also register to vote.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The caucus will start at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.

There are seven locations: Granite City Township, 2060 Delmar Ave. in Granite City; Neighbor Social Club at 4168 Highway 162 in Granite City; American Legion at 1022 Vandalia St. in Collinsville; Knights of Columbus at 7132 Marine Road in Edwardsville; Machinist Hall Local 550 at 161 N. Shamrock in East Alton; IBEW Local 649 at 3945 N. Humbert in Alton; and Marine Township Senior Center at 101 W. Silver St. in Marine.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Madison County Democrats will hold Iowa-type mock caucus."