This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

As the state chairs of our respective political parties, Democrat and Republican, we don't always see things eye-to-eye. However, one thing we heartily agree on is the importance of participation in the caucus/convention system to the health and well-being of the state of Utah.

This bottoms-up form of political representation plays a major role in selecting the leadership of our state, and we feel it is important to get the word out that caucuses are once again upon us. The Democratic caucuses are Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m.; the Republican caucuses are Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m.

Both of our political parties have been preparing for months, and the preparation has been unprecedented. There are on-going party and non-party statewide training programs, online training and caucus host support documentation (caucus signs, door hangers and host instructions) available on our party websites as well.

We have been heavily promoting caucuses in the public media, sometimes together. Dozens of candidates statewide are helping to reach out to registered voters in an effort to get them to participate. Literally hundreds of volunteers — your neighbors — have donated thousands of hours so as many people as possible can learn about caucuses and participate in them.

Every attempt is also being made to hold caucuses in easily accessible locations to allow access for the handicapped and elderly. To complement a successful caucus, both parties are simultaneously preparing for their state nominating conventions in April. No stone is being left unturned by each party in making sure this caucus/convention cycle is as successful as possible.

The main reason for all this work is to build an awareness of this grassroots process and to get a record number of people there on caucus night.

All that's left now is for you to do three simple things:

1. Believe that your participation makes a difference. Actually, in the Utah caucus system, a single person makes a huge impact.

2. Make the time (usually two hours or less) to attend your neighborhood caucus meeting.

3. Contact your caucus host, county party leadership, or the state party for information about when and where your caucus is being held (start at each state party's website — utahdemocrats.org and utgop.org).

Make no mistake, your participation is key to the 2012 caucuses being successful and it really is "now or never" for this important grassroots process. Please join us in attending caucuses this week. They are a celebration of our freedom to choose who will represent us in the conventions where our candidates for public office are chosen.

It's the process, and it is well worth your time and energy!

Thomas Wright is chairman of the Utah Republican Party; Jim Dabakis is chairman of the Utah Democratic Party.