In 2016, Minnesota passed legislation establishing a presidential nomination primary, bringing the state into Super Tuesday, when a host of states hold primaries. The state is better known as a caucus state, where people gather and discuss their preference for candidates instead of simply voting.

But Minnesota isn’t new to presidential primaries. There have been four: in 1916, 1952, 1956 and 1992. In most cases, the legislature voted for a primary to try and gain some political edge. In 1992, the primary was considered rather meaningless as it took place in April, well after the eventual...