DFL Claims 30,000 Attended Tuesday Precinct Caucuses Across Minnesota

(KNSI) — Early reports from DFL officials say at least 30,000 in-person attendees from around Minnesota gathered in classrooms, cafeterias, and gymnasiums for precinct caucuses Tuesday night.

A statement in a press release from the party says voters “turned out for the DFL in strong numbers to participate in the grassroots democratic process, with standing room only, packed rooms, cars around the block, and lines out the door in caucus locations across Minnesota.”

The release adds many caucus-goers said it was their first time attending, with a site in Eagan reporting more than 75% first-time attendees.

Lyon County, in southwestern Minnesota reported record attendance for a non-presidential year, and Carver County reported lines just as long, if not longer, than when President Barack Obama ran in 2008.

After caucuses started, one attendee in Fridley reported “a line of around 100 people still waiting to get in,” and in Fillmore County, a precinct site ran out of chairs due to high attendance.

One caucus-goer said, “My precinct captain has been to every caucus in my district since 1996. He says there has never been this many people at our caucus event in those 30 years.”

Another caucus site volunteer reported an estimated crowd of 500 people compared to their usual 40.

“Minnesotans turned out in historic numbers to exercise their democratic rights at precinct caucuses,” said DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom. “Tonight is more proof that we will never stop fighting for our neighbors.”

He said when President Donald Trump and the Minnesota Republicans “bring harm and terror to our communities, we will resist,” adding, those who turned out, “are the fuel of our grassroots engine and will drive us to historic victories this November.”

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