Minnesota’s Precinct Caucuses are Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m. at locations near your home determined by each political party. It’s important for union members to show up and be represented in Minnesota’s political parties. Here’s why:
Drive the Party’s Agenda
Union members can drive a party’s agenda through resolutions. Precinct Caucuses are the first step. Labor unions and federations (like the Minnesota AFL-CIO) and other organizations create sample resolutions that can be introduced throughout the state. In 2018, for example, we successfully added opposition to so-called “Right to Work” legislation to the DFL party platform. The more union members introducing labor’s resolutions at caucuses increases Labor’s power.
Lead the Party
Just like your union, leaders are people who show up. It is vital to have as many union members as possible become delegates to support pro-labor candidates and resolutions. For example, more than 20% of DFL caucus participants are from union households. If more union members show up to offer resolutions and run for delegate and party positions, Labor’s influence with political parties and candidates increases. Your caucus will elect delegates to your State Senate District’s party convention. Senate District convention delegates will have the opportunity to vote on the party’s legislative candidate endorsements, elect local officers, and delegates to the State and Congressional District Conventions. Specific process information is available from the individual political parties.
How to Participate
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Close to caucus day (February 25, 7:00pm), find your location using the Secretary of State’s caucus finder. You can also call 651-215-1440 in the Twin Cities or 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) in Greater Minnesota.
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Make sure you can participate. Both the DFL and Republican parties require you to agree with their priciples, support their candidates, and be a resident of the precinct. The DFL Party allows any Minnesota resident age 16 or older to participate (you must be eligible to vote in the November election to vote on delegates, resolutions, and motions). The Republican Party allows anyone eligible to vote in the November 2020 general election to partiptate.
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Recruit your union siblings to attend their caucuses.
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Download and print sample resolutions (see below).
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Arrive at your caucus early, chat with your neighbors, introduce your resolutions and get elected as a delegate!
Resolutions
We have created pro-labor sample caucus resolutions formatted with both DFL and GOP forms. These resolutions are based official policy positions adopted by the Minnesota AFL-CIO’s General & Executive Boards and past conventions.
Need more information? Give the Minnesota AFL-CIO a call at 651-227-7647
