Like many readers, we hoped to wake up this morning to a story about last night’s DFL precinct caucuses in the Minnesota Star Tribune. Instead, the lead story on the front page of their website was about a woman with breast cancer marrying her partner after surviving the Darien Gap. The top story under “News & Politics” focused on animals being relocated from the SeaQuest aquarium.
If you were relying on the main paper for coverage of the caucuses, you’d be disappointed.
As our survey last week showed, people are turning to multiple platforms to get their news. They want more stories that connect local events—like the caucuses—to the issues that affect their daily lives. But there’s no longer a shared set of facts we all draw from.
We had hoped to record a podcast breaking down the results ward by ward to help inform readers. But due to the lack of reporting and a chaotic caucus process—where paper forms are tallied by volunteers and then counted by the Minneapolis DFL—that episode will have to wait.
The Minneapolis DFL Chair, Conrad Lange Zbikowski, posted to his Bluesky account (for those of you unfamiliar with Bluesky, it has replaced Twitter for many people):
We will be entering data for the next few weeks, but it’s already clear that Minneapolis DFL neighbors exceeded expectations with the highest in-person caucus attendance since 2016. Thank you to all the incredible DFL volunteers for working creatively together, our DFL neighbors, and campaigns!
Anecdotes and Observations
We’ll share a few observations based on a steady stream of social media posts and anecdotes from attendees. Note: None of these have been independently verified.
In the race for mayor, it appears that DFL State Senator Omar Fateh has emerged as the leading opposition candidate to Mayor Frey. However, a significant number of Uncommitted delegates were selected, which may suggest that many voters are still undecided.
In several Ward 7 precincts, Elizabeth Shaffer appears to have dominated, which makes it unlikely that Katie Cashman will receive the DFL endorsement at the ward convention on May 10. That said, due to a lack of oversight around vote counting and unclear rules about who was allowed to attend, we can’t say anything with certainty. In several precinct caucuses, attendees came and went freely, creating confusion over who the official delegates were. There was no verification of whether attendees lived in the precinct.
Lydia Millard showed surprising strength in Ward 10. Whether it will be enough to secure the DFL endorsement won’t be clear until after the convention on May 31.
More Pens and Forms were Needed
Many precincts appeared unprepared for the number of attendees. There were shortages of pens and forms, and clear instructions were often not provided by the conveners. Some attendees even questioned whether the disorganization was intentional.
We want to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who gave their time to count votes and sign in participants—but the overall organization of the caucuses clearly needs improvement. It raises concerns about how well the upcoming ward and city conventions will be run, especially when so many caucus-goers were confused by the rules and the process.
Some attendees stood for hours due to a lack of available seating.
Details in small functions matter because they serve as a kind of test for what will happen later in the process, when the stakes are higher.
For example, we were once asked—while applying for a position at a publishing house—to write a one-page description of how we would get to the interview. At first, it seemed like a strange request. But upon reflection, we realized it was a test of our attention to detail. If we couldn’t clearly describe the steps we’d take to arrive on time, how much care and precision could we be expected to bring to the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
The same principle applies to the caucuses. If they are disorganized, lacking basic supplies like pens and chairs, and if clear procedures aren’t followed, what does that suggest about the integrity of the next steps—like vetting candidates and conducting a trustworthy endorsement process?
Now that the precinct caucuses have passed, it’s time to start discussing how they might be replaced. Since the Minneapolis DFL will be manually entering results over the next few weeks, we invite readers to share their experiences, the results they received, and any suggestions for improving the process.
Online voting is one option. Voting by mail is another—an approach that could give a voice to those who face barriers like lack of childcare or scheduling conflicts. Another alternative could be a primary election, as used by many other cities and states, to help narrow the field of candidates.
Conclusion
This election is too important to be overshadowed by stories about rehomed iguanas. It’s also too important to be left to an archaic process where sub-caucuses with names like “Affordable and Dignified Cities” end up sending delegates to the upcoming conventions.
One of the funniest comments we came across was that caucuses are the fastest way to figure out which neighbors you like the least.
At many caucuses, a last-minute resolution passed aiming to prevent candidates from accepting both the DSA and DFL endorsements. It will be interesting to see whether that resolution gained enough support to make it through to the Ward and City Conventions.
Unfortunately, for those of us without an insider’s view into the inner workings of the Minneapolis DFL, we’re left in the dark.
If you showed up to be heard, we hope your voice was counted. The turnout at the precinct caucuses showed that people are more engaged than they’ve been in years. Residents want to see the city on the right track—and they’re willing to stand for hours to prove it.
It’s high time we moved to an all primary system. My caucus experience was good for my ward, but we are small. I am glad do many people actually came and participated, but this process is arcane and we need to move away from it
I convened my precinct caucus (3-9) and it did not seem particularly chaotic to me. (I’ve done it many times before.)
We had more assigned ward delegate positions than attendees so everyone who wanted to be a delegate to the
ward convention (3) became a delegate. There was a little more competition for the 5 city convention slots,
but it was worked about by consensus. We heard from 2 of the 3 candidates for city council and one candidate
for park board with substantive issue discussions after several of those presentations. People talked together and
exchanged addresses while we straightened out the record keeping.
I think that the whole process is very good at community and consensus building and I do not favor abandoning it.
It was probably a mistake to insist on hand entering all the data on paper. The decision to require that was explained
as insurance in the event of technical errors or fraud in electronic systems but it should be possible to deal with that
concern in other ways. There was not enough effort made to make the available electronic systems accessible:
For example, in our room there was a rather good screen for displaying materials from a laptop, but I had to
go to considerable trouble to get instructions from the school about how to use it and no one in the party was
able to tell me in advance whether wi-fi would be available or not. There were 9 caucuses in the same building
(Las Estrellas) so it wouldn’t have been very difficult to communicate instructions about that in advance.
Woods Halley
I like your suggestion of doing online/virtual caucuses. This could be similar to how it was done in 2021. Online/virtual would allow for greater participation in the process.
Yes, it would. I’m immune-suppressed (on chemo), so no caucus for me. I would’ve liked to attend, as I have strong opinions about the direction this city has taken. Many with disabilities are excluded by the nature of the process, as are many older people. I find it very interesting that few have pointed out this glaring discrimination, given the extreme sensitivity to discrimination people have developed. I suppose certain discriminations are still fashionable. Or at least, not unfashionable. Pity, that.
If I were writing an op-ed to be published, I would make sure I had all my facts straight and I understood the rules in which I am referring to. But maybe that’s just me.
“At many caucuses, a last-minute resolution passed aiming to prevent candidates from accepting both the DSA and DFL endorsements. It will be interesting to see whether that resolution gained enough support to make it through to the Ward and City Conventions.”
We do not do resolutions in odd numbered years. Resolution are only debated and voted on during state level caucuses and conventions when we vote on the state party platform (even numbered years). I saw a video of an older white man on a ladder reading a resolution that would not allow the DFL to endorse candidates who have received the DSA endorsement, but alas, it will go nowhere this year. He will have to try his performance piece again next year.
This resolution was attempted in 2024, but was wildly voted down across multiple senate and congressional districts (which is needed to make its way to the state convention). Good luck, tho.
Hi Kaytie,
Thank you for the feedback. You’re right—the resolution was symbolic, but it’s worth noting that several caucuses did vote on and pass it. The confusion surrounding the process revealed how unclear the caucus system is—not just for attendees, but also for those running the events.
Many people who responded to this piece suggested switching to a primary system, which could increase participation and reduce confusion. There’s a valid argument that the multi-step endorsement process excludes people—especially those with children, work obligations, or limited ability to stand in a chaotic room for two hours.
What are your suggestions for improving the process?
Regards, Terry
I have participated in ward 1 caucuses and conventions multiple times now and same with SD60 DFL caucuses and conventions. None of the problems you report in this article have happened in those spaces. So I am curious.
How many unpaid volunteers did your ward caucuses have?
How many people took the time to read the rules or agenda on the minneapolis DFL website?
How many people relied on other volunteers to explain the process to them?
How many people were curious and looked at the Minneapolis DFL website where the rules and agenda are linked?
How many people came in good faith?
How many people were patient with the unpaid volunteers when asking questions and seeking answers?
How many people were neighborly and greeted or introduced themselves to their neighbors?
I have to admit, I have met so many of my neighbors during this process and we look forward to coming together and seeing each other during caucuses and conventions. In addition, our ward 1 2023 convention was held in record time (22 minutes). I think the pieces to a successful process are reading the materials provided on the webpage (and if you don’t, be patient while others try to help you understand), come in good faith, be neighborly & kind, and if you have suggestions to improve, come volunteer to make the process better.
Any system that would allow a small number of people disproportionate power as the DSA has gained in Minneapolis should be suspect. Gaming the system has become de rigor in Minneapolis, from the city council to the cynical exploitation of COVID money earmarked for needy kids. The power and money hungry moral depravity is stunning.
Thank you for this article, Terry. I’ve been looking for a report on the caucuses and lo, and behold! Here is yours!
I’m a new subscriber and look forward to your next report.
M.C. Klein