MARSHALL - Lyon County DFL Chairman Tim Buysse admitted it probably wasn't as exciting as the Republican caucus across town, but it was nonetheless an important exercise in democratic involvement.
"I think it's important that everybody participates in a democratic system, and this is the best chance to really hit the ground running as a participant in democracy," Buysse said.
Between 40 and 50 members of the Lyon County DFL precinct caucuses selected delegates to the upcoming county convention Tuesday at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church and proposed resolutions to be considered for possible inclusion in the state DFL party platform. Delegates at the county convention will in turn select delegates to the state convention.
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Photo by Steve Browne
Evonne Seivert signs up to be an election judge at the Lyon County DFL Party precinct caucuses Tuesday night at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. The caucuses selected delegates for the county convention and considered resolutions for possible inclusion in the state DFL’s party platform.
"We're running a preference ballot for the presidential race and U.S. Senate," Buysse said. "It's not much of a ballot, since we've got Obama and (U.S. Senator Amy) Klobuchar running, it's more of an affirmation."
DFL members came with resolutions to put forth for the county and state conventions.
"My partner and I are here to oppose the marriage amendment," said Cathy Hare of Cottonwood. "Everybody should vote 'no' on November 6."
Her partner Jan Knieff said she and Hare had been together for 30 years and wanted to share the same rights as the rest of the nation.
"And one of the other issues is safety in our schools," Knieff said. "To include in their anti-bullying harassment policies gender identity and sexual orientation, actual or perceived."
Vicky Brockman, chairwoman of the social science department of Southwest Minnesota State University, said she was there to support collective bargaining and opposed to using the ballot as a vehicle for amending the state constitution.
"I'm going to be introducing proposals opposing any proposed constitutional amendment to raise taxes which would require more than a majority vote," Brockman said. "Tax issues should be handled by statute with a simple majority vote to become law."
When the results of the preference ballot were totaled up, Klobuchar won unanimously. The choice for President Barack Obama was almost unanimous, with one write-in for Hillary Clinton, Buysse said.
The county convention will begin at 9 a.m. on March 10.