The election may not be until November, but for county and state positions, tonight's neighborhood caucus meetings could have a big impact on the outcome of this fall's political contests.

Tonight voters will gather by political party in school buildings, town halls, fire stations, homes and other public buildings throughout the county to select delegates to county conventions and state conventions where candidates for the November general election are chosen.

"In rural Utah, caucus meetings are where people get their name on the ballot," said Chris Sloan, Tooele County Republican Party chair. "At the caucus meeting an individual's vote is most important, and can make a great difference in determining who will be on the ballot."

This year there is one county commission seat open with a Republican incumbent and a Republican challenger. The caucus meetings will select the delegates that will choose which one will go on the ballot.

"Elections can be won at the caucus meetings," Sloan said.

Caucus meetings used to be held in homes and hosted by the neighborhood political party precinct chair. While still held by precinct, most meetings this year will be in public buildings.

"The typical caucus meeting has outgrown the average living room," Sloan said. "Last year, I had 17 people at my caucus meeting in Tooele, and the meeting in Lake Point had 50 people attend."

Rick Pollock, Tooele County Democratic Party vice chair, has received a lot of calls asking about caucus locations and expects a large turnout. Even though local races are not heavily contested this year, delegates to the state convention will be selected tonight, and they will determine who will be on the ballot for the Democrats in statewide offices such as governor.

"People need to show up to have a voice in deciding who their candidates and party leadership will be," Pollock said. "The caucus system fosters a sense of community."

The meetings are often cited as the best way for ordinary people to influence the political process at a grassroots level.

"Caucus meetings bring decision making down to the individual in our republican form of government," said Kirk Pearson, Tooele County Constitution Party chairman.

"The individuals that show up for these meetings will have a great impact," Sloan said. "They will influence the outcome of the elections."

Contact Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com