Tuesday is a make-it-or-break-it day for local city council candidates vying for Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party support. That evening, the party will elect delegates in a process that will truly start the local election cycle. There is no Republican equivalent in Minneapolis City Council elections.

There are 6,946 spots for ward delegates and 1,780 spots for city delegates to endorse candidates. Though voter turnout is always an issue with local elections due to a lack of press and the fact that some races are largely decided prior to voting, it is crucial for students to get involved in this election this week and beyond in order to make their voice heard. Students do not need to come into caucuses with a firm decision on the candidates, but it is necessary for them to attend the caucus so that they may become a delegate.

There are several wards in which University of Minnesota students live and should be active in. Ward 3 — largely the University area — is home to a close race between incumbent Diane Hofstede and Jacob Frey. Ward 3 includes those in Marcy-Holmes, Northeast Minneapolis and the North Loop neighborhoods.

Those in the Seward, Prospect Park and University dorm and residential areas have Cam Gordon representing them in Ward 2, uncontested in this election. In Ward 6, those in eastern downtown have candidates Robert Lilligren, Abdi Warsame and Mahamed Cali. Those in Ward 10, also a large student residential area in Uptown, have incumbent Meg Tuthill, Lisa Peterson Bender, Kendal Killian and Ken Bradley vying for party endorsement. Regardless if you support a candidate, joining the caucus process is instrumental in participating in local elections.