Many Minnesota Democrats skipping the primary campaigns to prepare for general election

For this election, Minnesota’s voters will have to indicate their party preference before voting. That information won’t be public, but it will be transferred to the Republican and DFL parties for use in voter contact efforts.

In contrast to many other states, Minnesota has never previously required voters to register by party. Of course, participants in the state’s precinct caucuses have always had their information recorded by the party whose caucus they attend. While the parties have insisted that the information won’t be used any more than information gathered at caucuses, Simon has been more critical. Concerned that the requirement could discourage voters, he’s backed legislation to restrict how parties can use the data.

On the DFL side, 15 candidates will be on the ballot, although some of them, such as New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, have since dropped out of the presidential race. President Trump will be the only Republican on the ballot, though a write-in option will be available.

Rice County DFL Chair Shawn Growth said that the local DFL has promoted early voting through social media and email. Even though the County DFL is strictly neutral in the primary race, Groth said strong turnout could strengthen the local party.

With the race currently focused on Iowa, and Minnesota overshadowed by California and Texas voting on the same day, leading presidential candidates have largely ignored the state. So far, only a handful of official campaign events have been held.

Nonetheless, Growth said that volunteer-led groups have begun organizing in support of the four leading candidates: former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Growth said he’s also been surprised by how many people have come forward to volunteer with the local DFL rather than supporting a particular candidate. Although Rice County voted for President Trump, DFLers won the county in every statewide race in 2018.

“People who want to be involved and volunteer,” he said. “They’re concerned about where the nation is heading they want to see change.”



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