BE PART OF THE PRECINCT CAUCUSES AND CONVENTIONS.
WE’LL BE THERE AND WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US. WHY?
We participate in the party process, even when we operate as an independent political alignment, because we believe that in order to build this statewide alignment and political power – we need to support our candidates on their path toward winning elections. To do this, we fill the rooms with our progressive voices. We support and uphold our progressive champions. We make sure our communities are led by people who look like us and understand our needs.
Without engaging in the process it will continue to be closed, confusing, and power will be isolated – held by a precious few who know the rules. We need to be informed and we need to act powerfully by acting together.
NOW LET’S GET TO IT, IT’S CAUCUS TIME
Precinct Caucuses: Tuesday, March 1st from 6:30 – 8:00PM. Find your location here!
- Support TakeAction endorsed and/or your local candidates by becoming a delegate – March 1st is the night to ensure you are chosen.
- Make your voice heard within the party by carrying a resolution – this lifts up the issues most important to us and building our movement. Resolutions travel from precinct caucuses to the state convention, where folks vote to include issues on the official party platform – our shared values published for all to see, and to be held accountable to upholding and implementing!
- Cast your vote for the 2016 presidential race! The winner of MN’s 93 delegates will be decided March 1st – by proportional representation (meaning if a candidate wins half the vote, they get half the delegates).Make your voice heard.
Local party unit and congressional district conventions: dates vary in late March and continue throughout April and May, 2016 – find yours here. Ask questions and find out more about your convention by reaching out to your local leaders, listed here.
- Senate District conventions are where House and Senate candidates are chosen by their parties. You are ONLY involved in this process if you became a delegate or alternate on caucus night (March 1st).
- A party endorsement isn’t binding – candidates may continue to their party primary, on Tuesday, August 9th. Primaries are rare at the state legislative race level, and there is a lot of inside pressure for candidates to abide by their party’s endorsement.
- There are no contested races for the Democratic congressional candidates in 2016. You may attend on this day if you plan to continue to be a delegate to the state convention, to further your resolution to the state convention, or to continue your involvement in the Democratic party.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON CAUCUS NIGHT – TUESDAY, MARCH 1st
SUPPORT OUR CANDIDATES
Precinct caucuses are only the first step to getting our candidates elected. To support them in the next step of the party process (local party unit conventions) you MUST become a delegate. Ask the leader in your room how to do this.
Generally, the caucus’s business meeting begins at 7pm. The meeting will begin by choosing its own officers (the people who will make sure the night runs smoothly), and then proceed to elect delegates to the Senate District convention. Note that under the caucus rules, the caucus cannot begin electing convention delegates until 7:30pm. If you want to be a delegate to the district or state convention, or if you want to have a say in who will attend those conventions, please stay for this part of the caucus.
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE BALLOT
Are you #feelingtheBern or are you #withHer? Cast your votes! The only way that you can participate in the presidential preference ballot is to show up at your precinct between 6:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday March 1. If you are in line by 8:00 PM, you will be allowed to vote.
RESOLUTIONS
If you have a resolution you would like your caucus to consider, please prepare it ahead of time. It must be brought to the caucus on the official state DFL resolution form. Information on the Green Party and their platform is here.
We’ve created a series of resolutions that we believe will help advance a bolder vision of racial, gender and economic justice in Minnesota. Join us in advancing this vision by bringing these resolutions to your caucus. #PeoplePower
- Earned Sick & Safe Time Resolution
- Home Care Workers Resolution
- Long-Term Care Resolution
- Restore the Vote Resolution
- Single Payer Resolution
STATE AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
STATE CONVENTION
The DFL State Convention will be held on June 4th, 2016 at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. Learn more about it on the Causing & Convention page on the DFL website.
NATIONAL CONVENTION
The Democratic national convention will be held at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25-29, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. The National Delegate Selection Plan for Minnesota is laid out here: Minnesota Delegate Selection Plan for the 2016 Democratic National Convention
