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MineralMan

(146,190 posts)
Sat Mar 8, 2014, 02:24 PM Mar 2014

Low Turnout at Minnesota State Senate District Convention

This morning, I attended the DFL convention for my state senate district, as I always do in an election year. Turnout was very poor. Where we had over 350 delegates in attendance in 2012, this year, only about 70 people showed up in this mid-term election year. The process was the same as always, endorsing candidates and choosing delegates for the congressional district convention and the state convention.

Our congresswoman, Betty McCollum did attend, along with all of the local district state candidates and local candidates. It was a great opportunity to have a few words with her and the other candidates, but, the low turnout was depressing.

Congresswoman McCollum put it very simply: This year, both Al Franken and Governor Dayton will be up for election. Both won their previous elections only after a recount. If turnout is poor in 2014, they could easily lose, and we could have a 2010-like setback. She's right.

Mid-term elections are more crucial than presidential election year elections. The Republicans know that, too. Our district in Minnesota is ably represented by excellent Democratic incumbents, and they're all very progressive. We don't have to vote in large numbers to re-elect them. If we don't turn out in large numbers, though, Senator Franken and Governor Dayton's seats are at risk.

Which is my cue to post this reminder to everyone on DU. Mid-term elections are crucial. We MUST have an excellent turnout of Democrats in November. So, the answer is the same as it always is:

GOTV 2014 and Beyond!

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