Next Tuesday, both the Democrat and Republican parties will hold neighborhood caucus meetings. Aside from discussing platform issues and political issues, these meetings are the first step in the selection process of whose name will appear on the ballot for each party.

At the meetings, delegates will be selected to be voting members of the county party conventions. At the county party convention, the delegates will vote on candidates to appear on the ballot for their party. If an individual receives a vote from 60 percent of the delegates attending the convention, their name will appear on the ballot for the general election. A primary run-off between candidates of the same party will only be held if no candidate receives a 60 percent majority vote of delegates.

There has been some drama at past county party conventions.

Two years ago, the Tooele County Republican convention virtually handed the county attorney position to then-challenger Doug Hogan. Hogan had filed to run for county attorney, as had incumbent Doug Ahlstrom. Both were Republicans and no other party had a candidate file. Hogan emerged from the county Republican convention with the nomination, winning more than 60 percent of the delegates. Hogan's name then appeared uncontested on the ballot in the general election.

That same year, delegates to the Republican convention surprised many voters by ousting incumbent county commissioners Matt Lawrence and Dennis Rockwell.

Candidates for statewide legislative positions that cross county boundaries are selected by the delegates that reside in the legislative district. Candidates for statewide offices are elected by delegates to the state party convention.

The process all starts at the local neighborhood caucus meetings on Tuesday, March 25.

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com