Taking part in North Dakota's Democratic and Republican presidential caucuses isn't that much more complicated than voting in a regular election.

Participants must find their nearest caucus location, which is not likely to be the same as the place where they vote during a primary or general election.

They will have to show up during the time allowed and fill out a form, and they may be asked for identification.

Democratic caucus locations are listed on the party's Web site, http://www.demnpl.com. They will be open Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time, or 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time.

Republican caucus locations are listed at http://www.ndgop.com. They will be open Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Here are some common questions and answers about the caucus process:

What is a caucus?

The North Dakota caucuses are presidential preference elections run by the Democratic and Republican parties. Caucus participants will mark ballots for their favorite candidate, much as they do during a regular election. The caucus voting results will be used to determine which candidate will get the support of North Dakota's delegates to the Democratic and Republican conventions.

What are the qualifications for voting?

You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of North Dakota for at least 30 days.

Where may I vote?

Both the Republican and Democratic parties have set up caucus locations across North Dakota. Someone who wants to take part in a party's caucus may vote at any one of that party's locations.

Sites are listed on the Web sites of the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democratic site is www.demnpl.com. The Republican site is www.ndgop.com.

The phone number at Democratic state headquarters is 255-0460. The Republican state headquarters phone number is 255-0030.

North Dakota's county auditors have no role in running the caucuses. The location where you normally vote in a regular election probably won't be the same as your nearest caucus location.

When may I vote?

Democratic caucus locations are to be open today from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time, or 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time. Republican locations are to be open Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

What must I do to get a ballot?

You will be asked to fill in a form that includes your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. By filling in the form, you're making a promise that you are eligible to vote, that you intend to support candidates representing the party whose caucus you are attending, and that you haven't voted in the other party's caucus on Tuesday.

You will also be asked if you want to be active in political campaigns in the fall by doing campaign volunteer work, putting signs in your yard, calling talk radio shows or writing letters to the editor.

You may be asked for identification.

Who is on the ballot?

The Democratic caucus ballot lists Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich. There is also a line for write-in votes.

The Republican ballot lists Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Alan Keyes. There is no provision for write-in votes.

May I vote absentee?

No. You must be present to vote.

May I vote for more than one person?

No.