We sat down with Jim Worthley, the Chair of the Winona County Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party (a.k.a. Democrat), to learn about Caucus Night, which is happening on February 3 this year.  We asked Jim to start by explaining what a caucus is. 

“The caucus is the state’s unofficial kick-off for the upcoming election year,” he said.  “Caucuses are held every other year. Caucus Night in Minnesota is kind of a big deal: no school board, county board of commissioners, township board, or city council can hold a meeting after 6:00 p.m.,” Jim added.  The same goes for elementary or secondary schools and for the state universities. “It’s a night when political parties are encouraged to meet and organize themselves to support candidates and work on party platforms.” 

Jim explained that the Winona County DFL will meet in four separate locations: Dakota, Lewiston, St. Charles, and the city of Winona.  “Where you attend depends on where you are registered to vote,” Jim said, adding “voters can check their precinct location by going to the Secretary of State’s Caucusfinder database at https://caucusfinder.sos.mn.gov/ which uses an address to identify the proper caucus location for a residence. There you will find your exact caucus location.”  Jim adds that “You can also go to the Winona County DFL caucus page (https://winonadfl.org/caucus/.) There you will find maps and a helpful informational video.  Be aware the city of Winona’s caucus location is different this year,” he says. It will be held in the Great River Ballroom of Winona State’s Kryzsko Commons,  250 W 10th St. “There is plenty of free parking after five,” Jim assured us, “both behind Minne Hall and in the lot on the corner of Main and Mark.  We’ll have greeters to help you find your way to Kryzsko Commons.”

What happens when you get there?  “The DFL Caucus opens at 6, and the meeting begins at 7,” Jim said. “Come early and register to find your way to your precinct location.  This is a good time to meet and talk with your like-minded neighbors.  After the meeting is convened, you will hear from Democratic candidates for the Minnesota House and Senate, so you can have a sense of which candidates you will be supporting.”  Jim said he expects there will also be an address from the campaign staff of Jake Johnson, the DFL candidate hoping to unseat Republican Brad Finstad in the First Congressional District.

Following that, there are three important caucus tasks, Jim explained.  “First, you’ll help to elect chairs and vice chairs in each precinct. These are the folks that help organize on the ground level.  Second, you’ll vote for delegates and alternates to represent your precinct in the upcoming County Convention, which will be held on February 28th.” Precinct delegates will elect the County DFL officers and directors.  Delegates also will attend the Senate District Convention, which meets on April 25th to endorse local DFL candidates for House and Senate races.  “The latter is a big deal.” Jim commented, ” It unlocks state DFL monies and resources for the candidates, so they will have momentum going into the Minnesota primary elections in August.”

The final task of the caucus is proposing and voting on resolutions.  “Resolutions that are approved go forward to become part of the DFL’s party platform,” Jim said, “so you have the chance to influence the party planks.”

The main goal of the Winona County DFL, Jim emphasized, is “to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”  By showing up to the caucus, you are helping to make sure that happens.  “We hope to see you there!” Jim said.