The busiest booth Tuesday at Mounds View High School on Minnesota caucus night may have had little to do with presidential politics -- and everything to do with a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

There, in the lobby of the high school in Arden Hills, volunteers were busy collecting signatures opposing having Ramsey County fund a new Vikings stadium unless it is approved by a citizens referendum.

The Vikings want to build a $1.1 billion stadium in Arden Hills and, although the team is now exploring building in Minneapolis, the Ramsey County location remains the team's preferred site.

"Republicans are signing 3 to 1 to the Democrats," said a smiling William Krueger, the chair of the Senate District 50 DFLers, as he stood in the high school's main lobby.

Volunteers estimated they gained nearly 400 signatures Tuesday at the high school as both Republicans and DFLers gathered for their political caucuses.

Ady Wickstrom, a Shoreview city council member who is spearheading the petition drive, said volunteers had collected nearly 4,000 signatures before Tuesday's caucuses. The group, which began the petition drive just over a month ago, needs 14,875 valid signatures.

"I'm one person, and I got 80. It was non-stop," said Julie Novak of New Brighton, as she handed in her completed petition sheets Tuesday at the high school.

Novak is the ex-wife of Steve Novak, the former state legislator and Anoka County official who led the failed effort five years ago to build a publicly-subsidized Vikings stadium in Anoka County.

"I think we need to be an example to our children," said Julie Novak, "and not pay for things that are not necessities."