Minneapolis DFL 2025 Candidate Guide
Congratulations on your decision to run for public office and the DFL endorsement! This guide is designed to answer common questions of first-time and returning candidates for the 2025 election cycle.
Convention information for candidates
Note that there is a separate page of information for attendees.
General information
The Target Center’s public lobby opens by 7am. Early entry will be at 8am (pre-cleared, for setup, see below), with registration and doors-open from 9am.
You are responsible for cleaning up after your campaign/organization. Please collect all literature, signs, etc. before you leave, including what may be left in the main arena “bowl.” You may place literature on seats in the arena bowl before call-to-order.
No outside food or drinks are permitted. Empty water bottles are allowed, and we encourage you to let your supporters know. Non-metal water bottles should be encouraged to speed up screening time.
There will be concession stands selling food and beverages, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Please let any interested attendees know that Halal and Kosher options require pre-order by Wednesday morning; see the convention menu page for more information.
All tables and suites must be cleaned up and vacated within 30 minutes of adjournment. Separate suite instructions to come.
Every candidate will be allowed up to 5 volunteers/staffers to assist with campaign in-arena setup from 8am-9am. Names must be provided no later than 48 hours before the day of convention via this form.
Every tabling organization that is not affiliated with a candidate is permitted 2 early-entry volunteers/staffers per table/partial table or suite (i.e. if a group reserved a table and suite, they will get 4 passes). Names must be provided no later than 48 hours before the day of convention via this form.
Under the proposed rules, each campaign will be allowed to designate one observer to observe the work of the election tellers.
Decorum
Our convention rules are clear: “All participants must treat other participants with respect at all times. Failure to treat others with respect or to follow reasonable instructions of convention officials may result in removal from the convention, and forfeiture of delegate status at the discretion of the convention chair. All convention attendees are subject to the DFL Code of Conduct.”
The Minneapolis DFL will not tolerate any disruptive behavior, threats, intimidation, violence (including touching other people without permission), harassment, jeering, breaking convention or facility rules, and otherwise disobeying direct instructions from convention staff. Passion and disagreement are not a legitimate basis to make anyone feel unsafe or violate rules. Moreover the Minneapolis DFL places a high value on the safety and well-being of our volunteers, and will enforce zero tolerance for abusive or threatening behavior towards our volunteers.
Any person who threatens the integrity, order, or safety of this convention will be ejected. If you witness any unacceptable behavior, please report it promptly to convention staff.
Floor passes
The Credential/Arrangements Committees will issue no more than five floor passes to each candidate for endorsement by this convention. Individuals with campaign floor passes are not permitted on the floor when it is frozen for a vote.
Floor passes are not issued to organizations.
Signage
Signs of size up to 2’x3’ will be permitted to be placed throughout the arena, with the following restrictions:
Signs may not obstruct any informational signage (exits, maps, etc), reasonable access (aisles must remain clear), and anywhere else prohibited by arena staff or convention organizers.
Signs may only be attached using painters tape.
No signs will be allowed to be placed on or around the stage. Supporters are welcome to bring signs to hold during candidate speeches.
We are all DFLers: make sure you leave space for your opponents to hang signs. If you are unable to find open space to hang your campaign’s signs, please find a convention organizer for assistance.
Stickers are strictly prohibited. If any stickers with your name/organization are inadvertently stuck on to surfaces in the arena, you will be billed for all associated cleaning costs that the venue charges. If you want to give out stickers, hand them out at the end of the convention as attendees exit.
Speeches
The proposed rules allow ten minutes for candidate presentations for candidates for mayor, and five minutes for candidates for other offices. However, be aware that the convention rules are subject to amendment by the convention body, and it is possible that the delegates and upgraded alternates may decide to allow candidates more or less speaking time.
For races where we expect more than one candidate, we will draw for speaking order at the Thursday night candidates’ briefing.
In order to reduce time between speeches, we will ask campaigns to line up their supporters in Section 133 (stage left) during the prior slot (or during nominations, for the first speaker). Supporters should wait on the concrete stairs of the aisle and/or seats of that section. Supporters should not queue earlier than the presentation prior!
The stage will be relatively small. Please plan to have only actual speakers (the candidate, endorsers, nominators, etc.) and perhaps a small handful of others on the stage itself. There will be ample room for a mass of supporters in front of the stage and to each side of the stage, and we encourage you to plan your presentation with this layout. This is intended both to help reduce downtime between speeches, and for safety of persons on stage.
Following your speech, supporters will exit via the stairs in Section 109 (stage right).
You are allowed to play a video or music as part of your speech, however we cannot guarantee that it will work. You will have a minimum of 3 minutes to set up your speech, starting as the prior speaker concludes, but do not assume any longer setup time. For the best chance of success, we recommend:
Bringing your video or music on a charged laptop (or 2 to be safe) with both a working HDMI port AND 1/8” audio jack. Make sure someone knows how and when to play your content.
If you don’t have the required jacks, make sure you bring a dongle (or 2). Keep volume on.
Ensure your video or music exists on your hard drive, not in the cloud. Turn off any automatic updates.
Turn WiFi off.
Your speaker timer may begin as soon as 3 minutes after the prior speech concludes, notwithstanding any delays in clearing the previous group. If the convention is ready for your speech, and your video doesn’t work, be prepared to have a backup (i.e. extend your speech, have a supporter whose ready to speak for you, etc.).
We are working on scheduling technical setup time (and will advise of updates), but even so we strongly encourage campaigns to plan backup options to any pre-recorded aspects of their presentation.
Reserved tables and suites
Payment must be received before your room/table is released to you.
(Additional information on tables/suites to appear)
Questions, comments, concerns
Questions, comments, and concerns should be directed to Michael Abramson, Arrangements Committee Co-Chair.
Access to the Minnesota DFL Voterfile / Votebuilder / VAN
The Minnesota DFL maintains a statewide database of registered voters. As a candidate seeking DFL endorsement, you can purchase access to this database to organize canvassing, making calls, recruiting volunteers, and more.
Please contact the Minnesota DFL Data Department for more details about how you can purchase access to VAN and pricing.
Setting up an ActBlue donation account
ActBlue is one of the preferred donation networks for DFL candidates. You can register for a new account on the ActBlue website. Email ActBlue support if you have any questions. You can also reach out to support if you would not like to be listed in the public ActBlue directory.
Minneapolis DFL caucus & convention calendar
Caucus Night is Tuesday, April 8, 2025
This is the night that delegates to your Ward or City Convention are elected by their neighbors.
Ward Conventions are late April - May, 2025
These conventions may endorse for Minneapolis City Council.
City Convention is July 19 & 20, 2025
This convention may endorse for Minneapolis Mayor, Park Board, and Board of Estimate & Taxation.
Last step! Once you are ready to be public…
Register with Minneapolis DFL once you are ready to publicly seek the Minneapolis DFL endorsement so that we can share important updates to you as a candidate and your campaign team.