Attention SD53 Delegates
Your electronic ballots are due by 11:59 pm on May 4, 2020. If you do not have your ballot, email us and the Chair will provide you with your information.
Electronic Ballots Are In For SD53 Delegates
Many delegates received their electronic ballots today (April 25, 2020). If you have not, please check your spam folder (from conventionballot@dfl.org). If you didn’t receive it today, it is coming.
Please remember the following:
- The email will include a unique delegate number (ID) that you need to use to complete your ballot. The ID will be listed in the body of the email when you receive your ballot. The exact wording will be something like “Hi Jane Doe, here is your unique ID: 5555552. Use this to fill out your ballot: (Link to the ballot).”
- The unique delegate number (ID) is used to ensure that only those who are “credentialed” fill out the ballot. This also helps those who have two (2) delegates in one (1) household with just one (1) email address as each delegate will have their own identifying ID.
- When you receive your ballot, you have until May 4 to complete it. If it isn’t completed by that date, your vote will not be counted.
The ballot is pretty lengthy especially when it comes to the resolutions section. The link to the resolutions is below for your preview. SD53 delegates can carry up to forty (40) resolutions to the State Convention. The highest voted resolutions that pass the 60% threshold up to that point will be carried to the State Convention. Please vote for all that you support. Click on the link below for previewing the resolutions.
Resolutions
When your ballot is completed, you will receive a receipt of your ballot in your email.
Additional information from your ballot:
Rank Choice Voting (Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota DFL)
Two-minute candidate endorsement videos:
Senator Susan Kent
Representative Tou Xiong, 53A
Representative Steve Sandell, 53B (Incumbent)
Nicole Mitchell for 53B (Challenger)
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. We want to make sure that your experience is good and that your vote is counted.
SD53 will be receiving daily updates from the State DFL on who submitted their ballots.
2020 SD53 Convention Delegates
The electronic ballot will be in your email as early as Saturday, April 25. The email will include a unique delegate number (ID) that you need to use to complete your ballot. The ID will be listed in the body of the email when you receive your ballot. The exact wording will be something like “Hi Jane Doe, here is your unique ID: 5555552. Use this to fill out your ballot: (Link to the ballot).”
The unique delegate number (ID) is used to ensure that only those who are “credentialed” fill out the ballot. This also helps those who have two (2) delegates in one (1) household with just one (1) email address as each delegate will have their own identifying ID.
When you receive your ballot, you have until May 4 to complete it. If it isn’t completed by that date, your vote will not be counted.
The ballot is pretty lengthy especially when it comes to the resolutions section. The link to the resolutions is below for your preview. SD53 delegates can carry up to forty (40) resolutions to the State Convention. The highest voted resolutions that pass the 60% threshold up to that point will be carried to the State Convention. Please vote for all that you support. Click on the link below for previewing the resolutions.
Resolutions
When your ballot is completed, you will receive a receipt of your ballot in your email.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. We want to make sure that your experience is good and that your vote is counted.
SD53 will be receiving daily updates from the State DFL on who submitted their ballots.
Becoming a Delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention
The Minnesota DFL elects 75 pledged delegates and 6 pledged alternates to the Democratic National Convention, to be held August 17-20 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A summary of the procedures for electing National Delegates can be found on pages 21-27 in the 2020-21 Official Call. Complete details can be found in the 2020 Minnesota Delegate Selection Plan.
Do I need to choose a Presidential Candidate to support?
Yes. All candidates for National Delegate must declare a single presidential preference (or uncommitted status). Presidential campaigns may use their right to refuse individual candidates. Delegates are allocated according to the results of the Presidential Primary held on March 3, 2020. Each DFL Congressional District (CD) Convention elects a pre-determined number of National Delegates.
At-large delegates and alternates, as well as Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs), are elected at the DFL State Convention. The number of Delegates allotted to each presidential candidate will be published here once the Primary results are certified.
Who actually elects National Delegates?
At each CD convention and the DFL State Convention, CD/State Delegates who share the same presidential preference will elect candidates from their group to be National Delegates in Milwaukee: supporters of “Candidate A” will elect “Candidate A” National Delegates, supporters of “Candidate B” will elect “Candidate B” National Delegates, and so on.
Who can run for National Delegate?
It is not necessary to be a delegate to your CD Convention or the State Convention to run for National Delegate. You must be at least 18 years old by November 3, 2020, and eligible to vote in the general election on that date. You may run for election as a district-level National Delegate only within the CD where you are eligible to vote.
Who can run as a Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegate?
The Minnesota DFL Party defines PLEOs as anyone who holds a public elected office in Minnesota, a DFL party office or is actively involved in DFL activities at any level.
How do I run for National Delegate?
BY ELECTRONIC BALLOTING IN YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (CD): You must send a completed 2020 Statement of Candidacy form, by postal mail or email, to your CD 4 Chair, Jennifer Guertin (at jenguertin919@gmail.com) to arrive no later than Friday, May 8, 2020.
AT THE STATE CONVENTION: you can send the 2020 Statement of Candidacy form by email to chair@DFL.org, fax to 651.251.6325, or mail to the Minnesota DFL, 255 E. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107, to arrive before May 27, 2020 – or, at the State Convention, deliver the form to the State DFL Chair no later than two hours before the election of National Delegates begins on Sunday, May 31.
CAMPAIGN IDEAS: Introduce yourself to the CD/State Delegates, before and during the convention, so you can build support for your election. Be prepared to give a one-minute speech about why they should elect you to be a National Delegate. You might share what you have done to help the DFL Party or your particular candidate leading up to the nominating process. Send postcards to CD/State Delegates in advance or create a flyer to hand out at the convention. This can help you stand out in the crowd when they are deciding who to support.
When and where are the conventions?
At this time, the DFL State Convention is scheduled for May 30-31, 2020, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Election of National Delegates will occur on Sunday, May 31.
A decision regarding whether electronic balloting will be conducted instead of an in-person State Convention will be announced before the end of April.
What to expect as a 2020 Democratic National Convention Delegate
What happens at the Democratic National Convention?
The main business of the convention is to select the Democratic Party’s nominees for President and Vice President, but during its four days and nights, there is a lot of activity for delegates. If you have watched primetime television coverage of past conventions, you have seen and heard lots of political speeches. There are typically many more speeches and presentations than are televised and there is other party business conducted, as well. Before the convention calls to order each day around 5:00 p.m., there are a variety of meetings and events that might interest you. Some events are for specific members, but others are open to all convention delegates.
Where will the 2020 Democratic National Convention be held?
The convention will be held August 17-20, 2020, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The convention sessions will be at Fiserv Forum, while some events will be held at Wisconsin Center and other venues. A security perimeter will be established surrounding the convention venues and a convention credential is required for entry.
Where do delegates stay during the convention?
Each state delegation is assigned rooms in a specific hotel assigned by the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC). Some delegation activities are held at the hotel, including a morning breakfast meeting where delegates will get information updates and pick up their credentials for the day.
How do I get to Milwaukee?
Delegates are responsible for arranging their own travel to Milwaukee. Some delegates decide to travel together and share expenses, but the DNCC does not arrange for any transportation to the convention city.
How do I get around while in Milwaukee?
Transportation is provided between the delegation hotel and the convention area. Due to security concerns, this is usually the only way to get to convention activities. Delegates should allow extra time to travel from place to place, as they may need to wait for transportation.
How much does this cost? Who covers expenses?
Attending the convention is costly, and delegates need to cover their own expenses for travel, hotel (five-night minimum) and meals. Delegates can expect to pay $2500-4000. A small number of grants may be offered by the DFL Party, but those are usually only a few hundred dollars and a delegate must demonstrate financial need to qualify. Delegates have also raised funds with the help of their local party units, friends and family, or even by starting a GoFundMe campaign. Delegates are encouraged to reduce expenses by sharing a room with other delegates and carpooling to Milwaukee.
What should I expect to do at the convention?
Delegates can choose from a wide variety of options each day what to do before the convention session convenes in the late afternoon (around 5:00p.m.). There are also various parties and receptions held after the convention recesses – some may require tickets or invitations. However, delegates are required to get up early each morning for a delegation breakfast meeting where they must pick up their convention credentials. Delegates are expected to be in their seats at Fiserv Forum when the convention calls to order each day. Convention sessions can run late – often till midnight or after, so be prepared for long days. The National Convention can be very enjoyable, but it can be exhausting, as well!
Online Balloting Timeline
As you know, our endorsing convention will be conducted through an online balloting system. The online balloting system will be administered by the Minnesota DFL party staff who will be responsible for reporting results back to SD53.
The contents on the ballot will include the following:
1. Candidates for endorsements
2. Nominees for Delegate to the Congressional Districts and State Conventions
3. Resolutions
The Timeline
April 17, 2020
The official delegate roster must be reported to the Minnesota DFL no later than Friday, April 17, at 5 PM CST.
April 19-23, 2020
SD53’s deadline to certify ballot in writing to the Minnesota DFL
To ensure that the voting ballot sent to delegates on April 25 is accurate, SD53 will receive a sample ballot from the Minnesota DFL beginning April 19. SD53 is responsible for responding to the Minnesota DFL (in writing) that the voting ballot is accurate.
It is preferable to have SD53 delegates to vote by electronic ballot as it is an efficient way to calculate all votes. However, there might be instances where a delegate may not have an email address. In this case, SD53 will send a paper ballot to the delegate.
The DFL is allowing mailed ballots. Mailed ballots must be verified by April 19-23 by SD53. Once verified, SD53 will create a paper ballot and mail them out to delegates. SD53 must receive the mailed ballots from delegates before May 3, as each ballot must be filled out electronically by SD53 before the end of the day on May 4 for the votes to be considered.
As part of the ballot, candidates for endorsement will have the opportunity to submit a two-minute video. This part of the ballot will be collected directly by the Minnesota DFL staff.
April 25-May 4, 2020
Balloting/Voting will occur during this period. The DFL will send electronic ballots by email to all delegates; they will be sent to the delegate’s preferred email address. Delegates have ten (10) days to fill in and submit their ballot.
May 11, 2020
Results need to be certified by SD53.
After the balloting period, the SD53 Chair will receive an email from the Minnesota DFL staff containing a summary of the results along with copies of the ballots. The Chair must inform the Minnesota DFL that the results have been reviewed and certified by our unit.
The DFL staff will forward the results of the resolutions ballots to the co-chairs of the Platform, Issues and Legislative Affairs Committee.
The Pre-Convention Committee
The Credentials Committee Chair is Frederick Dempsey-Hess. His committee has been working on the delegate list to make sure we have email addresses to send out electronic ballots. Committee members have called delegates this past week to obtain missing email addresses where there were none indicated in our database. If an email address is not obtained, SD53 will mail the ballot to the delegate.
The Nominations Committee Chair is Anand Balar. His committee will be creating the roster of individuals interested in becoming delegates for the electronic ballot. If you are interested in becoming a CD4 delegate or State delegate, click here to fill out the online form.
The election of party officers and directors will be issued in another electronic ballot that will be sent to all delegates by SD53 (and not the Minnesota DFL). We will provide an update in an upcoming email.
The Resolutions Committee Chair is John Sydor; His committee edits and prepares caucus resolutions for presentation as a resolutions ballot. There were 169 resolutions provided to this committee from the 2020 Caucus. The committee is in the process of sorting and combining like resolutions to create up to 40 resolutions to include on the ballot.
Important Documents
DFL 2020 Ballot Rules
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Zoom Will Keep Us Connected
SD53 has created a Zoom Account, an easy cloud platform for video and audio conferencing. Our meetings (Committee meetings, SD53 Central Committee meetings, Coffee and Conversation, and the like) will be conducted via Zoom. You will receive an invite from the SD53 Secretary when a meeting is scheduled. Click here for instructions on using Zoom.
On another note…
SD53 will be moving from using this email client, Carter Communications, for sending out notices to the SD53 community. We are in the process of moving its subscribers to MailChimp, an all-in-one marketing platform that helps SD53 communicate information to its subscribers, allowing other SD53 Committee Chairs access to sending information to our members.
The Director of Communications will be responsible for its contents and providing access to the platform.
Minnesota DFL Party Moves Conventions to Online Ballot
The following changes were adopted by the DFL Party’s Executive Committee on March 17, 2020:
DFL CALL: ALL CONVENTIONS
All conventions (SD’s, OU’s and other endorsing conventions) will be conducted through an online balloting system to complete the essential party business of electing delegates, conferring endorsements, and passing resolutions.
The online balloting system will be administered by the Minnesota DFL party staff who will be responsible for reporting results back to the local unit.
Local units will be responsible for collecting a roster of delegates and certifying the content of the ballot. The ballot, certified by a vote of the local unit executive committee, as well as the official delegate roster, must be reported to the Minnesota DFL through a provided form no later than Friday, April 17 at 5 PM CST.
Units will have the option to send out a mail ballot to those delegates who request one. Those ballots will need to be reported via an online form to the Minnesota DFL within the allowable balloting timeframe. Electronic Ballots will be emailed out by the Minnesota DFL directly to delegates who have not requested a mail ballot. Delegates will be provided a unique password to access their ballot.
Balloting will occur over a 10-day period: Saturday, April 25th – Monday, May 4th.
Contested endorsements will be decided by rank choice vote.
During the balloting period, local unit leadership (Chairs & Vice Chairs) will receive a daily update of which delegates have completed their ballots. It will be incumbent on the local units to follow up with delegates to ensure ballots are completed within the allotted time frame.
Local units may use reasonable means to reach out and help with getting ballots submitted. This can include helping facilitate voting via phone and text messages as long as the local unit is creating a receipt of the conversation for auditing purposes.
Given that we will be conducting conventions via electronic and mail balloting we will not need pre-convention committees for congressional district conventions.
Candidates for Congressional District / State Convention delegate must be gender-balanced and will be decided by a plurality vote.
We will allow candidates for public office to send a 2-minute video which will be embedded with each electronic ballot.
All alternates elected at precinct caucuses will be automatically upgraded to full voting delegates to the local unit conventions.
ACTION BY LOCAL UNIT
The roster of delegates and alternates from each local unit must include the following:
- Name
- Gender Identity
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email (where the ballot should be sent)
The certified ballot must include the following (varies by type of unit):
Organizing Units that make endorsements for public office:
- List of candidates for public office seeking endorsement
- Nominees for delegates and alternates to CD / State Convention which must include Presidential
Preference (candidate name or uncommitted)
- Resolutions (limited to 100 words)
Organizing Units that do not make endorsements for public office:
- Nominees for delegates and alternates to CD / State Convention which must include Presidential Preference (candidate name or uncommitted)
- Resolutions (limited to 100 words)
Units that only make endorsements for public office
- List of candidates for public office seeking endorsement
RULES & BYLAWS
Given the unforeseen nature of this pandemic, we are recommending the following rules and protocol changes which will allow our party units to conduct important party business while also allowing us to protect party members and the general public. The following rules are temporary and expire at the end of the state convention or June 1, whichever one comes first.
- Notification requirements for party meetings, conventions, endorsements, etc. shall require 72 hours’ notice via any means.
- All conventions, with the exception of the state convention, will be conducted via electronic balloting or as requested by the delegate through the mail, phone, or text.
The business of all conventions will be limited only to essential items where applicable:
- Election of delegates and alternates
- Election of state pre-convention standing committee members
- Conferring endorsements for those seeking public office
- Voting on resolutions
- Election of Presidential Electors
- All other business will be deferred automatically to the next regularly scheduled central committee meeting of that unit.
The Minnesota DFL will prohibit any official DFL sponsored event, at all levels in the party, where more than 10 people would gather in person from occurring from March 14th – May 28th. This includes fundraisers, party meetings, social events, unit central committees, conventions, etc. Meetings below 10 people should be moved to teleconference if possible. If they must be in-person, meetings should be conducted swiftly and limited to essential business only.
The Minnesota DFL’s rules will be superseded by those of federal, state, and local public health authorities should those be more stringent than those imposed by the Minnesota DFL.
For information on Congressional District and State Conventions, please click here to see the full announcement by the State DFL.
New Time-Sensitive Rules (3-14-20)
The State DFL Executive Committee met and approved a slate of emergency measures including the following temporary convention rules. These rules create additional deadlines for those intending to seek endorsement for public office. We ask that you communicate this to your Convention Delegates/Alternates and candidates for public office.
- Candidates running for legislative office must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to seek the DFL endorsement 7 days prior to the convention.
- All candidates (including current elected officials) should use THIS FORM to indicate their intent.
- Delegates to the OU conventions who are running to be a delegate to the Congressional District Convention and State Convention must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run for this position 7 days prior to the convention.
- This also applies to Delegates to the CD/State conventions who wish to serve on a pre-convention committee
- All OU Delegates running for CD/State Delegate should use THIS FORM to indicate their intent to seek a pre-convention committee position.
Convention Update
SD53 March 21, 2020, Is Postponed
DFL Executive Committee Approves Emergency Measures
to Protect Against Coronavirus
St. Paul – March 12, 2020, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Executive Committee met and approved a slate of emergency measures designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:
- All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed. The Minnesota DFL is working on scheduling virtual conventions starting in April.
- The Minnesota DFL will limit the business of all conventions, from OU to state, to only essential items: election of delegates and alternates, election of CD/state pre-convention standing committee members, conferring endorsements, and voting on resolutions.
- The Minnesota DFL will prohibit any official DFL sponsored event, at all levels in the party, where more than 25 people would gather in person from occurring from March 14th – May 1st. This includes fundraisers, party meetings, social events, unit central committees, conventions, etc.
- The Minnesota DFL will shift all campaign organizing efforts, including direct voter contact, from in-person work to virtual work, and we encourage campaigns to do the same.
- The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will not be available for DFL or public meetings from March 14th- May 1st.
- The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will be closed to the public. Only credentialed personnel, party leaders, and elected officials will be permitted to access the building from March 14th – May 1st.
Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party released the following statement:
“The Minnesota DFL is committed to doing everything we can to halt the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and well-being of all Minnesotans. Tonight, the Minnesota DFL’s State Executive Committee approved significant changes to our convention schedule which will allow us to conduct essential party business while dramatically lowering the risk of coronavirus transmission.
“The Minnesota DFL will immediately shift all conventions without contested endorsements from in-person events to teleconferences. All conventions with contested endorsements will be postponed for a period of six weeks. The Minnesota DFL will continue to monitor the situation carefully and may make future changes in consultation with public health experts.
“This was not an easy decision to make, however we are currently in the middle of one of the worst public health crises in the past century and the Minnesota DFL is committed to doing our part to keep our party members, candidates, elected officials, and the public at large safe during this difficult time.”
Below is a more detailed explanation of the changes adopted by the Minnesota DFL’s State Executive Committee. These changes are set to expire after the Minnesota DFL state convention:
DFL CALL TO CONVENTION
- ORGANIZING UNIT CONVENTIONS: All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed.
- For those conventions with no competitive endorsement contests, the OU must hold their convention using teleconferencing software which the Minnesota DFL will provide at no cost to the OU. The convention must be rescheduled to one of the following weekend days, April 4th and 5th, April 18th and 19th, or April 25th and 26th. The Minnesota DFL will provide training to OU leadership on the technology as well as help administer the technology for each convention. These OUs will be asked to select a three-hour window of time during which the convention will take place from a list that the Minnesota DFL will distribute. This will allow state party staff to assist with conventions.
- For those conventions with a competitive endorsement contest, the OU must hold their convention in person on one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and 3rd, or May 9th. The DFL will provide financial assistance to those units who incur significant financial hardship as a result of changing the convention date.
- SENATE DISTRICTS CONVENTIONS: All conventions scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed.
- The SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT must hold their convention using the teleconferencing software which the Minnesota DFL will provide at no cost to the SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT. The convention must be rescheduled to one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and May 3rd, or May 9th. The Minnesota DFL will provide training to SD NON-ENDORSING UNIT leadership on the technology as well as help administer the technology for each convention.
- For those conventions with a competitive endorsement contest, the OU must hold their convention in person on one of the following weekend days, May 2nd and 3rd, or May 9th. The DFL will provide financial assistance to those units who incur significant financial hardship as a result of changing the convention date.
- CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS: CD conventions scheduled on May 2nd and May 9th are postponed to May 16th and May 17th.
- STATE CONVENTION PRE-CONVENTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The in-person State Convention Pre-Convention Meetings scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd will be postponed to Friday, May 29th in Rochester, MN. At the discretion of the committee conveners, meetings may be held prior to May 29th using DFL-provided teleconferencing or video conferencing software. Resolutions must be submitted by May 15th.
RULES & BYLAWS
- Loosening the requirements on party notification of events: forgo notification requirements for party meetings, conventions, endorsements, etc.
- Allow party units to conduct conventions via telephonic, internet, or other electronic means.
- Allow delegates to conventions to carry up to (1) proxy vote for delegates who are unable to attend in-person conventions. These proxies must be instructed as to the vote preferences of the delegates not in attendance. Proxy instructions should be ranked whenever possible.
- Prohibit walking sub-caucuses at conventions held via teleconferencing or video conferencing and elect all delegates from OU conventions to the CD/State convention as at-large delegates. The presidential preference of delegates will be recorded.
- Limit the business of all conventions, from OU to state, to only essential items: election of delegates and alternates, election of CD/state pre-convention standing committee members, conferring endorsements, and voting on resolutions. All other business will be deferred automatically to the next regularly scheduled central committee meeting of that unit.
- The Minnesota DFL will prohibit any official DFL sponsored event, at all levels in the party, where more than 25 people would gather in person from occurring from March 14th – May 1st. This includes fundraisers, party meetings, social events, unit central committees, conventions, etc.
- Meetings below 25 people should be moved to teleconference if possible. If they must be in-person, meetings should be conducted swiftly and limited to essential business.
- The Minnesota DFL’s rules will be superseded by those of federal, state, and local public health authorities should the rules of public health experts be more strict than those implemented by the Minnesota DFL.
- For those units that meet via teleconferencing or video conferencing, and where no contested endorsement occurs, the following will be allowed:
- Alternates will be automatically upgraded to full voting delegates.
- The DFL party will officially chair the convention in order to run teleconferencing and video conferencing software.
- Candidates for delegate to the state convention and congressional district convention must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
- Candidates for endorsement for legislative office must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
- Candidates for election to congressional district pre-convention committees must indicate to the Minnesota DFL their intent to run one week prior to the convention.
- Debate on resolutions will be limited to one speech in favor and one against.
OFFICE PROTOCOL
- The Minnesota DFL will shift all campaign organizing efforts, including direct voter contact, from in-person work to virtual work, and we encourage campaigns to do the same.
- The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will not be available for DFL or public meetings from March 14th- May 1st.
- The Minnesota DFL Headquarters will be closed to the public. Only credentialed personnel, party leaders, and elected officials will be permitted to access the building from March 14th – May 1st.
- No official staff travel out-of-state from March 14th – May 1st.
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March 21, 2020
Tartan High School
Pre-Convention Committee
The purpose of the pre-convention committee is to plan the Senate District Convention.
At the 2020 Caucus, each precinct elected two members and two alternates with gender balance if possible, to serve on each of the following pre-convention committees:
Rules and Constitution— This committee proposes rules for conducting business at the convention, and recommends any amendments to the constitution. The Chair of this Committee is Ann Marie Metzger.
Credentials— This committee prepares and mails the convention notice; creates credentials and manages convention registration, including upgrading alternates to replace absent delegates. It reviews credential challenges and brings them to the convention for a vote. The Chair of this Committee is Frederick Dempsey-Hess.
Important Credential Committee Document(s):
Nominations— This committee screens (interviews) those interested in serving as a party unit officer or ‘State Central Committee’ delegate, and makes a recommendation to the convention. If you are interested in applying for a leadership position with SD53, fill out the online application. The Chair of this Committee is Anand Balar.
Positions available (all positions are two-year terms):
Resolutions— This committee edits and prepares caucus resolutions for presentation as a resolutions ballot at the SD 53 convention. The Chair of this Committee is John Sydor.
Arrangements — This committee manages convention food, beverages, set-up, clean up, signage, reservations, seating, equipment, etc. The Chair of this Committee is Carlo Montgomery.
Coronavirus Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2020
Contact: Brian Evans
Email: bevans@dfl.org
Minnesota DFL Issues Update on the Coronavirus and Future Party Events
St. Paul – March 11, 2020, Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin issued the following guidance to local DFL organizing units regarding future party events:
“The Minnesota DFL is monitoring the spread of the coronavirus here in Minnesota very closely and will continue to do so throughout this public health crisis. At this time, the Minnesota Department of Health and other public health agencies have not recommended that organizations cancel community gatherings and events. As such, the Minnesota DFL is recommending that party units proceed with conventions while taking the necessary precautions we outlined in earlier correspondence.
“The Minnesota DFL leadership and staff are working closely with the national party, as well as our Constitution, Rules, and Bylaws Committee to explore all contingencies in the event that the guidance from public health officials changes. The DFL will explore all options to allow our party units to conduct the important business of our party while also keeping our party members and the public safe.
“Rest assured that the Minnesota DFL’s decision-making process will be guided first and foremost by the well-being of the members of our party and the recommendations of medical experts and the scientific community. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.”
How To Protect Your Event
Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission at party events.
- Send an email to attendees before the event, and make an announcement in person at the start of the event, encouraging them to:
- stay home/go home if sick
- avoid shaking hands
- wash their hands regularly
- sneeze into an arm or a tissue
- avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth
- Have plenty of hand sanitizer, garbage cans, and tissues nearby.
- Try to seat people at least 3 feet apart if possible.
- Put up posters and flyers reminding people how to protect themselves from coronavirus. Both the CDC and WHO have flyers that you can use for these purposes.
- Try to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces before and after your event.
- Retain the names and contact details of all participants for at least one month. This will help public health authorities trace people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 if one or more participants become ill shortly after the event.
The CDC has put together some recommendations for event organizers, which is a useful resource as we enter the convention season.
We also encourage party leaders to continue using tools like the SCC email list to share any advice or questions you have on coronavirus-proofing your events. If you’ve had your convention, let folks know what worked and what didn’t. If your convention is coming up and you’ve got questions, ask your fellow DFL leaders.
Additional resources
Johns Hopkins University is tracking the spread of coronavirus live. While they cannot track cases that have yet to be diagnosed and reported, this is still a useful tool for determining whether coronavirus has been confirmed in your community.
There’s some misinformation about coronavirus circulating. We recommend taking a moment to review the WHO’s myth-busters to set the record straight about what coronavirus is.
The Red Cross has a really useful one-page fact sheet with important information on coronavirus.
For Minnesota-specific information, check out the section of the Minnesota Department of Health’s website dedicated to coronavirus. They have useful information and additional print resources. If you want to reach out to MDH with questions, you can call them at:
- 651-201-5000 (Phone)
- 888-345-0823 (Toll-free)
Source: Ken Martin, Chair, DFL Mn
What is coronavirus?
What is COVID-19?
Prepare and Protect for COVID-19
To help prevent the spread of any illness, please follow these standard rules:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Source: https://www.sowashco.org/news/latest_news/statement_on_coronavirus_concerns
For more information:
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): http://www.health.state.mn.us/
Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Washington County Public Health Department: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/471/Public-Health-and-Environment
About Us
We Are Democrats…We believe that anyone from any walk of life should have a fair shot in achieving their hopes and dreams…no matter their gender, faith, race, who they are or who they love.
MN Senate District 53 DFL is an Organizing Unit of the Minnesota DFL. We are a committed group of volunteers and activists in Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale, and Landfall, working to elect Democrats to all levels of public office, promote the party platform, advocate equality for all people and create healthy communities through service, education, and empowerment.
Officers:
- Chair, Cheryle R. Carter
- Vice-Chair, Tom Miller
- Secretary, Jodell Miller
- Treasurer, Patricia Williamson
- Outreach and Inclusion, Mariah Neuharth
District Boundaries
You can determine your polling place using the Secretary of State’s Pollfinder.
The following documents contain the official boundary definitions for offices in which this DFL Organizing Unit has endorsement authority:
Mailing Address:
DFL Senate District 53
PO Box 25893, Woodbury, MN 55125
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