Historically, caucuses have been characterized as a forum bringing citizens together to discuss key issues and decide party platforms. Tuesday’s caucus in Coffman’s Mississippi room was anything but.

About 1,700 people came to fill out their presidential preference ballots, but when the DFL caucus convened, 15 to 20 people remained there to participate.

Mark Lewandowski, outreach chairman for U-DFL and caucus chairman Tuesday night, said the poor attendance doesn’t mean a lack of interest.

“Maybe they didn’t stick around because they didn’t know much about it,” he said.

Those who stayed elected precinct chairmen and delegates for the future district conventions which will impact Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race.

“It would have been really nice to have more students involved in the caucus,” Lewandowski said. “That means they’re getting involved in the political process.”