Press Release

Today, the Minnesota DFL Party is announcing a series of changes to their February 1st, 2022 precinct caucuses to protect the health of caucus participants and communities across Minnesota. 

The DFL Party has created the option for the Party’s local organizing units to move to a contactless caucus system, where attendees participate via Caucus Non-Attendee Forms. Local units not using the Contactless Caucus system will be required to adopt enhanced COVID-19 safety measures.

“I am proud that the DFL Party has found a way to protect the health of Minnesotans while preserving our caucuses and the grassroots democracy at the heart of our party which those caucuses embody,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “Now, everyone from seasoned advocates to Minnesotans new to politics can safely help shape the future of our movement and take the first steps to deciding which candidates our party endorses.”

Minnesotans looking to participate in their local DFL caucuses should head to dfl.org/caucus, where they can use the Caucus Finder to determine whether their local unit has moved to contactless caucuses or will be holding in-person caucuses with added safety measures. Here’s how each system works:

Contactless Caucuses

To participate in contactless caucuses, Minnesotans simply need to:

1. Head to dfl.org/caucus and fill out the Precinct Caucus Non-Attendee Form and, if they choose, a Resolution Form.
   • These forms will allow caucus-goers to run to be delegates to future endorsing conventions and submit resolutions to the DFL Party’s Action Agenda and Platform. 
2. While on dfl.org/caucus, use the Caucus Finder to learn where to submit those forms.
3. Send in their forms via email or print their forms and drop them off on caucus night.
   • Each local unit will have an in-person drop box for forms that will be open from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM on the evening of precinct caucuses, February 1st. 

In most circumstances, there are enough delegate slots available to ensure everyone in a precinct who runs to be a delegate gets elected. In contactless precincts where that is not the case, delegates will be chosen by lot.

In-Person Caucuses with Enhanced Safety Measures

If a local unit decides to hold in-person caucuses, attendees will be required to follow additional COVID-19 safety measures, including:

• Wearing a well-fitted face-mask over the nose and mouth, even while speaking
• Socially distancing as much as the caucus venue allows
• Showing proof of vaccination upon entry, or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the start of precinct caucuses.

Those who are unable to follow these measures or who would prefer not to physically attend a caucus may still participate by submitting a Precinct Caucus Non-Attendee Form, which can be found at dfl.org/caucus.

The chair or highest ranking official of a local organizing unit will be responsible for determining whether their unit’s precinct caucuses move to a contactless system or remain in-person with enhanced COVID-19 safety measures. These changes to the DFL Party’s caucus systems were approved by a recent meeting of the DFL Party’s State Executive Committee.