Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Democrats! Introducing the DFL precinct caucus - what happens when?

On February 5th, this happens at a caucus site near you, and you are invited! Please caucus for me, for peace, and for the conservation of biodiversity. I'll be posting more information as we get closer to Super-Duper Tuesday!

Use this link to find your caucus site: DFL Party - find your precinct caucus location!

  • 6:30 PM - Registration and Presidential balloting begins

  • 7:00 PM - Caucus convenes, elects caucus chair, precinct chairs, and 2 or more tellers to count ballots

  • 7:30 PM - Delegates to Senate District/County Unit (and in Minneapolis a seperate election of delegates to the Minneapolis City DFL Convention)

  • 8:00 PM - Presidential balloting ends, ballots counted, results announced

  • until adjournment - Other business includes collecting $$$ contributions for the DFL party, the election of committee members (arrangements, credentials, resolutions, etc.), and discussing and voting on resolutions submitted by caucus participants


What is a DFL precinct caucus? Your precinct caucus is a neighborhood meeting run by volunteers from your local DFL party organizations. It is the first step in the endorsement process for DFL candidates for local, state, and national offices. Precinct caucuses are also where we cast ballots in a binding presidential preference poll that awards delegates to the national democratic convention by proportion, above a 15% threshold. These national delegates are elected at the Fifth Congressional District and MN State DFL Conventions. Caucus process uses Robert’s Rules of Order, and is outlined in the Official Call.

Why should I attend my caucus? These are meetings where citizens can make their voices heard. It allows you and your fellow Democrats to come together and discuss the issues that matter to your community. The state party builds its platform based on resolutions you submit at this meeting. Anybody participating in the caucus is eligible to be elected a delegate or party officer should they desire to be active in the DFL after the caucuses.

Technorati tags: , , ,