Top 5 Recommendations for DFL Convention Reform
Key actions that would put the "D" back in the "D-F-L" which is struggling with its identity as the party of Democrats, Farmers, and Laborers
When the DFL CD8 Nominating Committee for US House asked the question, “Do you consider yourself a member of the DFL Party?” I said, “Yes, I am a transformational member and revolutionary leader of this party.” And I meant it. Whether I succeed, and whether I improve democracy in the state of Minnesota and put a dent in the big-dollar-donor election model holding the nation hostage every two years, is yet to be seen. But I am not done running and not finished trying. While we celebrate the process for what it was and what it could be - I offer my earnest congratulations to the Trina Swanson campaign for her earned endorsement. That said, I sincerely hope that I am not the only one providing constructive feedback to the party leaders, party elders, and delegates about how we improve the system. I trust you have seen the gaps I see in degrees, the missed opportunities, and recognize a place for corrective action. Here are my top 5 recommendations for the DFL to consider in their preparation, planning, and execution of future DFL unit conventions. Special acknowledgement and thanks to CD8 Chair Richard Gehrke, who I felt conducted himself and the convention admirably and with intent as chair for consistent practice with DFL bylaws, democratic ideals, and constant communication with candidates. (Thank you, Richard, for your stewardship of CD8.)
Bob Helland’s Top 5 Recommendations to Improve DFL CD Conventions
Having attended two separate DFL Congressional District conventions in the last decade (CD6 in ’16, and CD8 in ’26) as a hopeful candidate for office both times, I have some recommendations the DFL party and its units that they would be wise to consider. I have referenced the relevant DFL constitutional sources. These are my observations as a former secretary of state candidate with broad understanding of Minnesota election laws, CFB and FEC campaign finance requirements, and the DFL Constitution & Bylaws. Most important, these are not just my observations, but shared perspectives from several first-time convention-goers or visitors who were overwhelmed by the process or at times displeased with the conduct of delegates or officials. I’m guessing you thought or heard some of these things, too. It is important that someone holds up a mirror for the party to reflect on what occurs and why, and offers a better way for tomorrow:
1) Get your ballots ‘in order.’ The recent CD8 balloting process included 7 candidates but did not list “No Endorsement” as an option on the screen, which is always ‘in order’ per DFL Bylaws. There was also no verbal or written instructions that “No Endorsement” was ‘in order’ and how it would be counted if delegates voted so (that is, different than excluded blanks/abstentions). Ballots were blank papers, handwritten names as new nominees could have entered the conversation, but did not. Also, as DFL Bylaws allow Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for rules in dropping candidates round to round, it was disappointing to see the delegation reject RCV for its own voting method while so many members were promoting RCV for general public voters! Walk the talk. With eight candidates, then reduced to seven, consideration of up to three candidates as well as a stated option of “No Endorsement” may have drastically affected the outcome of the first line as a single-entry ballot. I am grateful to the two “No Endorsement” votes that expressed confidence in our abilities to run fair and civil primary campaigns and offer more voters more choices. Source: DFL Constitution & Bylaws Article IV, Section 3.
“No Endorsement” shall always be a valid option on a written ballot for endorsement and must appear on all printed or electronic ballots for endorsement.
2) Modernize your convention for virtual attendance. The commitment to attend multiple in-person, potentially days’ long events over several months, with caucuses and conventions in order to become a delegate and vote, is an antiquated form of physical representation and puts working-class, family-minded members, and delegates with disabilities with less opportunity or more difficulty in participation. In the nation’s 25th largest district, we are a laggard and not a leader in democracy. There are also times if you leave ‘the floor’ for any reason, including to get some food, drink, call your family, or use the restroom – you will be froze out and unable to participate or demoted and replaced with an Alternate or some manner of process. There must be away to conduct your party operations with appropriate transparency and higher levels of accessibility to the currently disenfranchised, non-delegate DFL members. Source: DFL Constitution & Bylaws Article V, Section 14.
Conventions and other meetings may allow individuals to participate without being physically present at a designated location, unless remote participation is explicitly restricted by this Constitution and Bylaws or the governing documents of a party unit or community outreach organization.
3) Stop the “boos” OR withdraw your inclusion policy as pertinent to DFL Conventions. Despite the DFL inclusion policy, Article V Section 1 of the DFL Constitution and Bylaws, the audience was permitted to “boo” candidates loudly for deferring to our half million voters’ choice – a democratic ideal – as opposed to loyalty to the will of one hundred “super” delegates. This is not inclusive, not “welcoming” and it is anti-democratic. Four candidates answered “No” to the singular question, “Will you abide the endorsement and support the endorsed candidate?” Each was met with a shameful chorus of “boos” from a faction of delegates or possibly non-delegates. The convention leaders never addressed nor reprimanded the attempt to sway votes, intimidate, or discourage candidates running. If you want to run a convention like British Parliament, do not pretend to be welcoming and inclusive towards all participants if you permit open hostility and initimidation to candidates, and specifically on the issue of the will of the people: democracy. Source: DFL Constitution & Bylaws Article V, Section 1 & Section 17.
All party units, officers, caucuses, communities, conventions, business conferences, and convocations shall (through affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion) encourage young people; seniors; women; persons living with disabilities; and other historically underrepresented groups, whether by race, ethnic group, immigration status, consideration of faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected status, to participate in party affairs at every level. This includes welcoming, informing, and providing access to training for all persons regarding how to effectively participate in the selection and party governance processes; actively recruiting, selecting, placing, and retaining members of such previously stated groups; and encouraging all Democrats to select affirmatively such individuals when voting, so that such groups shall be represented on delegations, in committees, and in party offices, at every level within the DFL Party at least in reasonable proportion to their presence in the state.
Section 17. Cause for Discipline or Dismissal.
An individual may be subject to discipline who:
a. excludes another without any legitimate basis;
b. acts in an inappropriate and harmful manner to another; 8 (Last amended 1 June 2024)
c. intimidates, bullies, or harasses another in person, virtually, or otherwise;…
4) Increase your delegate numbers to resist the concentration of power. The DFL has become a microcosm of the failure of our federal legislative houses and the corruption we see when population explodes but our representative bodies do not grow with it. Having so few voting delegates (144.5 weighted delegates decided the CD8 endorsement) means power is concentrated in too few hands. The ratio of eligible voters to DFL delegates in CD8 is over 3000 to 1 approximately a half million voters eligible. With modernized virtual attendance, you would be able to support a higher democratic ideal of perhaps 1,000 delegates (8000 state delegates) and reduce that ratio to 450:1. Each case leaves 99.9% or more in eligible voters to decide the primary and general – which will always be the most democratic option as measured by will of the people. Source: DFL Constitution & Bylaws Article VI, Section 4, Subsection B.
State Convention Delegates. There shall be 1,200 delegate votes at the State Convention apportioned among the organizing units in proportion to the CAV, provided that no organizing unit shall have fewer than three votes. However, for an organizing unit without enough CAV to be allotted a vote, the State Central Committee shall determine the vote and method of electing.
5) Provide opportunity for standard questionnaires, more forums, and standard media to all delegates, members, and voting public. The only questionnaire candidates received from CD8 or any other DFL unit leading up to convention was a nominating committee screening that was received about 72 hours before the convention with a 48-hour deadline to submit. The DFL does not show strong interest in collecting information for all candidates and providing that to their party decision-makers, delegates, before the convention. The conventional path is to get access to delegate rosters and individually try to contact and sway delegates if you have not earned their commitment in-person. This is not an efficient or economical process for either candidates and voters and contributes to overall low-information, low-participation elections. It contributes to high costs. It also creates a power dynamic where some candidates will feel compelled to tell delegates what they want to hear to win early support only to find it is untenable (or unwise) later. Positions and plans may change after endorsement but it would be best to document and make available candidate’s positions and statements to all in the open, rather than a system of behind-closed-doors, private conversations. One opportunity is a standard 5-minute video for people seeking endorsement. Last, the only forums that were offered in the final month of endorsement were not organized by the DFL, which as a neutral body should be able to provide all-candidate forums. The UMD College Democrats and Indivisible Iron Range filled the gaps of the party. The DFL should be a clearinghouse of candidate information and not remove itself from any and all promotion of candidates pre-endorsement – rather it should promote a democratic process which involves informing delegates and voters and offering candidates for selection. In my view this falls under party recruitment guidelines and provided it does not offer an unfair advantage is entirely acceptable and valuable. Source: DFL Constitution & Bylaws Article X, Section 1, Subsection A.
Each congressional district in the state is hereby established as a party unit for the purpose of recruiting, endorsing, and supporting a DFL candidate for congress in the district.
Thank you for reading and considering this appeal to your democratic senses - I hope you read this with an open-mind to the democratic interests of the party, for civility in our nation, and are not blinded in bad faith by a temporary bias against me as a candidate who challenges the party nomination. I will bring turnout to the DFL primary and when that happens and we form that crest of a blue wave for the fall in August - you can thank me later. For the “booers,” I will accept your apologies if you wish to reach out and make amends. For me, the conversation continues, my reasons to run and represent you are undented, and I welcome your communications and constructive feedback. We are going to a primary, folks!
Celebrate, don’t hate, and let’s cooperate to drive turnout in record numbers, 100,000-150,000. That is a blue wave! Buckle up for a fun, informative ride…
~Bob Helland
Candidate, US House of Representatives (MN-8)