Secretary of State Steve Simon

Secretary of State Steve Simon

Secretary of State Simon addressed the group about election security issues and the altered timelines accompanying the new Presidential Primary.  And answered many questions.  Among the major points he made:

• Work is underway to positively use the money finally received from the federal government to improve voting security in 2020.
• January 17 will be the first day of early voting for the Presidential Primary.
• February 25 precinct caucuses will be held.  Caucuses for the major parties will do the work of platform building, election of local party officers and delegates to conventions at higher levels and conduct other party business.
• March 3 is Presidential Primary day (Super Tuesday). Voters will get a ballot for the party of their choice and vote for one of that party’s candidates.
• As happened in 2016, at district and state party conventions, delegates will elect national convention delegates pledged to vote for a specific candidate (or uncommitted).  How many national delegates are elected is based on the percentage of the votes each presidential candidate received in the primary.
• Minnesota Primary—August 11.  General Election –November 3.

MN AFL-CIO Field Director Pommella Wegmann

Field Director Pommella Wegmann presented what is now expected to be the schedule as Labor 2020 moves forward.  Specific goals have not yet been adopted, nor endorsements made.  She emphasized how important retirees were to Labor 2018 and will be in Labor 2020.  Some points:

• September and October 2019 features MN AFL-CIO one to one meetings with affiliates, ALCs and RLFs to get feedback for the formal Labor 2020 plan that will be acted on by the MN AFL-CIO Executive Board and in December by the General Board and then will be forwarded to the national AFL-CIO. 
• In February 2020 (date yet to be determined) the Campaign Conference will be held to inform leaders and activists about the Labor 2020 plan.
• In March 2020 the endorsement questionnaires and processes will be approved by the General Board. 
• March to June RLFs and ALCs will be screening candidates
• June 2020 the full MN AFL-CIO COPE committee will review endorsements that have been received and the General Board will hold a Labor 2020 endorsement meetings.  As the year moves on, additional endorsements are expected to move forward.
• During the summer months, it is expected Campaign Schools will be held statewide.
• Pommella reported on retiree participation in Labor 2018 that included 10,000 plus phone calls and over 1,000 postcards mailed.  She emphasized continued and improved participation by retirees will be critical to Labor 2020 success.