You may remember a mention of the Simon-Rest Committee on Caucuses and Endorsement in this video where DFL Chair Ken Martin explains the DFL Party, which is the Democratic Party in Minnesota:
On Monday November 26th, at 6:30 PM in the Southdale Library in Edina a public forum or townhall will announce the suggestions they have come up with to date, and take public comments.
Minnesota is relatively unique in having an open and transparent party process where nearly all party officials are elected by rank and file democrats at precinct caucuses, or by those delegates and officers elected by their neighbors in precincts caucuses, though there have been questionable moves recently to radically restructure the party with unexamined consequences and the election and appointment of a new "Standing Committee" without specifying when or if those terms expire and how to replace them. This was done with no discussion permitted at the last State Central Committe in St. Cloud.
In any case, here are the details of this first public townhall on reforming the caucus process: (below the fold)
The executive committee of Hennepin County DFL invites you to a conversation to discuss improvements and ways to get more people involved in the state caucuses and endorsement process.These recommendations will be presented to the Simon-Rest Committee on Caucuses and Endorsement where they will be discussed and considered for recommendations or for possible legislative changes. Both Senator Ann Rest and Representative Steve Simon will be present.
We would like for all of the CD 3 and CD 5 senate districts to be represented so that we can get input and ideas from the entire county. Please invite your directors as well as your precinct chairs, co-chairs, and any others in your districts that may what to participate.
The Simon-Rest Committee was appointed by DFL Party Chair Ken Martin to examine the caucuses and endorsement process and to make recommendations for reforming the process. The committee is made up of 25 appointees from around the state. The discussions started in July and will run monthly until February. As a member of the committee and as Chair of Hennepin County DFL, I have talked with many of you and know that you have a lot of great ideas on how to improve the caucuses and endorsement process. I want to give the Simon-Rest Committee the opportunity to hear from you and vice versa. All 25 members and Ken Martin have been invited to join us. At the beginning of the meeting, Senator Rest will give an overview of the Simon-Rest Committee recommendations to-date.
What: Townhall to discuss improving the caucuses and endorsement process
Date: Monday November 26th
Time: 6:30 PM--8:30 PM
Location: Southdale Library (Full Meeting Room)
7001 York Ave. S.
Edina, 55435
So what do you like and dislike about the caucus process? Is it fair and accessible? Does it matter that most people who engage it only do so to cast non-binding and less than transparent presidential preference ballots? Due to the disagreement with the national Democratic party on timing (and the GOP controlled legislature being unlikely to change the caucus date, even if DFLers wanted to comply) in 2012, MN DFL's presidential preference poll balloting was withheld for weeks. Should low turnout in a presidential election year where Obama's re-endorsement was certain be a sign that the process is declining in popularity? Obviously there was record turnout in 2008, and the 2010 cycle was lively even if Governor Dayton bypassed the DFL endorsement process and focused on winning the primary election...
What do you think?