Letter: Come caucus, select candidates

To the Editor:

DFL precinct caucuses will take place Tuesday Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at various sites throughout Goodhue County. Registration will begin at 6:30.

This year, caucuses of the DFL party will take a statewide preference poll on presidential candidates. The binding ballot will determine the percentage of delegates each presidential candidate will receive at the Democratic National Convention from the Minnesota delegation. It is the equivalent of Minnesota’s presidential primary.

Presidential balloting will conclude at 8 pm sharp. Ballots may only be cast in person, no absentee balloting is allowed.

The DFL caucuses are open to any eligible voter who supports the principles of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party as stated in the State DFL constitution and bylaws and are not active members of another party. Youths who will be 18 years old by Nov. 4 are encouraged to participate in the caucus. Youths 16 to 17 years old may attend the caucus, but may not run for delegates to future endorsing conventions or vote in the preference ballot.

The caucus is a neighborhood meeting that allows citizens to come together and discuss issues and candidates, as well as elect delegates to the county/senate district conventions. The caucus is also the first step in the process of submitting resolutions for consideration to changes in the party platform. Precinct chairs will be elected who will be given tools to organize their communities in getting Democrats elected.

We encourage you to join us, have your voice heard and kick off this exciting election year.

If you are unsure where to caucus, you can check the local newspaper, Secretary of State Web site at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us or www.DFL.org.

Colleen Clark

Red Wing

Colleen Clark is chairwoman of the Goodhue County DFL.

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