A guide to the Minneapolis DFL caucus for city elections

This article is based on an earlier piece written by Josh Martin.

In Minneapolis, most City Council and mayoral candidates seek a Democratic-Farmer-Labor party endorsement to help them win the general election in November. The endorsement process is a two-parter. First, Minneapolis residents elect delegates during the DFL caucus–one group to represent them at the ward convention and another group to represent them at the city convention. Second, those elected delegates attend the Minneapolis DFL conventions to endorse a City Council and mayoral candidate, respectively.  

A candidate needs 60% of delegates votes to earn a DFL nomination.  

THE DFL CAUCUS

Minneapolis residents are voting for mayor and all 13 of the City’s ward seats this year. The caucus takes place April 8 at various locations across Minneapolis. Caucus attendees and those unable to attend the caucus in-person, can fill out a pre-caucus application.

To participate in the caucus, you need to:

• Live in the precinct
• Sign a statement indicating you agree with the DFL party and its principles, and that you’re not a member of any other party
• Be at least 18 years old by Nov. 4

The delegate selection process depends on the number of people who want to be delegates. When there are fewer people who want to be delegates than there are spots, everyone gets to be a delegate. This is typically the most common situation at a precinct caucus.

If the number of people who want to be a delegate is greater than the number of positions, participants conduct a sub-caucus to narrow down who represents their precinct as a delegate at the ward convention. In a sub-caucus process, people break out into different groups based on their preferred candidate, and delegates are allocated proportionally.

Caucuses usually take an hour or two. Only people in attendance can vote on who will be a delegate at the ward and city conventions.

WARD AND CITY CONVENTIONS

The DFL hosts conventions for each ward between April 26 and May 31 where City Council candidates will seek a party endorsement.  A separate city-wide convention takes place July 19 and 20 for the endorsement of candidates running for mayor, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Board of Estimate and Taxation.

At the conventions, delegates identify the candidate that they intend to support. While this is not binding, it is generally expected that the delegate will vote for that candidate at the convention.

ENDORSING CANDIDATES AT THE CONVENTION

During ward conventions, delegates choose from two methods of voting and hear from the candidates. The first steps to the endorsement process are:

• Each candidate gives a speech on why they should be DFL-endorsed.
• A question and answer period between candidates and delegates. The first question is always,  “Will you suspend your campaign if someone other than you is endorsed by this convention? Yes or No answer only.”

Then the delegates vote.

With the “Multiple Ballot Endorsement Rules,” multiple rounds of voting are used to try and reach an endorsement.

• Delegates vote for the candidate of their choice.
• If a candidate receives 60% of the vote, the candidate is endorsed.
• If no candidate receives 60% of the vote, and there are three or more candidates, candidates receiving less than 10% of the vote are dropped.
• The drop threshold increased by 5% after each ballot (e.g. 15%, 20%).
• After the fourth ballot, the lowest remaining candidate shall be dropped regardless of percentage.
• Candidates continue to be dropped until only two candidates are remaining.
• After the fifth ballot, a delegate may move for “No Endorsement,” which may be adopted by a majority vote.
• Eventually, either a candidate is endorsed or the convention chooses “No Endorsement.”

The following steps are used in the “Ranked Choice Voting Endorsement Rules.”

• Delegates rank as many candidates as they wish in order of preference. “No Endorsement” is also an option.
• All first choice votes are counted. If one candidate receives 60% of the vote, that candidate is endorsed.
• If no candidate receives 60% of the vote, the lowest-ranking candidate is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the candidates ranked next in order of preference. This process is repeated until only two candidates and “No Endorsement” remain as options.
• A second ballot is held, with only the top two candidates and “No Endorsement” as options.
• If a candidate receives 60% of the votes, the candidate is endorsed. If not, another ballot is held.
• Eventually, either a candidate is endorsed or the convention chooses “No Endorsement.”

Candidates who are endorsed are then able to say they are “endorsed by the Minneapolis DFL” during their campaigning.

ENDORSEMENT BENEFITS

Winning a DFL endorsement doesn’t eliminate other candidates from continuing to the general election but it can have a significant impact on a campaign’s success. Endorsed candidates are able to utilize the DFL party logo on their campaign materials, gain access to party resources, and be included on other DFL campaign materials.

Minneapolis candidates have historically remained in elections regardless of a DFL endorsement. But DFL-endorsed candidates are more likely to win elections in Minneapolis (only one DFL-endorsed candidate lost in 2023, and not by much). A mayoral candidate has not won a DFL endorsement in Minneapolis since 2009.

For more information visit the Minneapolis DFL website.