DFL Conventions: Senate District, Congressional District and State
If you're interested in having a say in the Democratic Farmer Labor Party candidate endorsements, platform adoption, leadership selection and constitution and bylaws revisions — in other words, to actively participate in party governance — there is one obvious step to take: attend your precinct caucus at Eden Prairie High School's East Commons the evening of February 5 and have your name placed in nomination as a delegate to the Senate District 42 Convention to be held Saturday, March 1, also at Eden Prairie High School. This time in the Main Commons.
If you're not able to attend your precinct caucus, you may indicate in writing prior to your caucus (letters should be mailed c/o DFL Senate District 42, 6990 Alpine Trl, Eden Prairie, MN 55346) your willingness to serve. Your caucus chair will place your name in nomination.
Senate District 42 Convention
As a delegate to the Senate District 42 Convention, you will participate in:
- electing Senate District 42 officers and directors
- electing delegates to the 3rd Congressional District and State DFL Conventions
- electing at-large delegates and alternates to the DFL State Central Committee
- discussing and adopting resolutions advanced from the precinct caucuses throughout the district
- endorsing candidates for the State Legislature
- voting on any proposed amendments to the Senate District 42 constitution
- listening to brief addresses by candidates in attendance.
If you're interested in becoming a delegate to the 3rd Congressional District Convention and the State DFL Convention, you can participate in the delegate selection process known as the Walking Subcaucus process. You cam make known your interest in becoming a delegate by introducing and forming a subcaucus based on your support of a particular candidate or candidates and/or your stance on a particular issue. Or, by indicating within the subcaucus you join that your are interested in being selected as a delegate. Visit this page for more information on walking subcaucuses.
If you're elected a delegate to the 3rd Congressional District and State Conventions, here's what you can expect to happen:
CD3 Convention
At the CD3 Convention, perhaps the most significant item of business you and other delegates will consider is the endorsement of a DFL candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. Other business will include:
- election of congressional district officers and directors (note: the chair and associate chair also serve on the State Executive Committee)
- election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention
- election of one man and one woman to serve two-year terms on each of the following commissions: Platform and Issues, Constitution and Bylaws and Affirmative Action Commission; alternates for each commission will also be elected
- election of one man and one woman to serve as delegates and one man and one woman to serve as alternates on the Credentials, Nominations and Rules Committees at the State Convention, and
- consideration of any petition resolutions for changes or additions to the State DFL's Ongoing Platform or Action Agenda.
State Convention
Serving as a delegate from Senate District 42 to the State DFL Convention should be an exciting adventure in this incumbent-free presidential-election year, which also promises a competitive race for party endorsement for U.S. Senate and some expected hard-fought campaigns leading up to the general election. As a delegate, you can help shape the direction of the DFL Party as we all try to get our country moving in the right direction again.
Key agenda items you will discuss and act on along with your fellow delegates from around the state are:
- endorsement for U.S. Senate
- election of at large State Directors for the State Central Committee
- election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention
- election of delegates to the Democratic National Committee
- discussion and approval of the state party platform
- discussion and approval of the stat party constitution and bylaws.
Remember, if you want to have your voice heard in the nomination process and in building the DFL platform, the place to start is at your precinct caucus.
Grab a Sharpie and write "CAUCUS" clearly in the February 5 box of your 2008 calendar right now, and you can be part of the process of getting our country back on track.