Minnesota is getting ready for the Feb. 7 caucuses, and local leaders have planned where they’ll meet.

Albert Lea will see a separate caucus for the DFL Party and the Republican Party, but both are at 7 p.m. that Tuesday evening.

The Republican Party will meet at Southwest Middle School, 1601 W. Front St., for the 7 p.m. caucus. Its county convention will be held Feb. 25. Al Arends, co-chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party, can be reached at 373-1896.

The DFL Party will meet at the Eagles Club, 205 W. William St., with registration at 6 p.m. and the caucus at 7 p.m. Its county convention will be held March 25 at 1 p.m. with a noon lunch. Art Anderson, the county unit chairman, can be reached at 373-9445.

Colorado and Mississippi will hold either a caucus or primary on the same day as Minnesota holds its caucus.

Caucuses help political parties gauge how voters view candidates. They’re different from primaries in that voters have to be present at the designated caucus site, register, show their party affiliation and then participate. You must be eligible to vote in the 2012 general election and live in the precinct to take part in a caucus.

Minnesota state’s primary election is Aug. 14, and the general election is Nov. 6. Additional caucus information, including where to find other caucuses, can be found at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.mn.us.