Why Does Minnesota Caucus Instead Of Having A Primary Election? Former Duluth Mayor Don Ness Adds His Voice In Favor Of Changing Our State Political Process
Why does Minnesota hold caucuses instead of a primary election to determine their preference in the Presidential Election nomination process? After yesterday's Super Tuesday events, many are wondering why the state hasn't adopted the primary process. One of those voices is former Duluth Mayor Don Ness.
In a Facebook post today, Ness suggests that the caucus process might be confusing or restrictive to some.
So why does Minnesota caucus and not hold a primary election? Over the course of time, the state has held primary elections. When the election process first began in Minnesota, it caucused. Then in 1916, Minnesota began to hold primary elections. 1922 saw a return to the caucus format. Then in 1992, the state held both a caucus and a primary - but decided against using the results of the primary election. Some political insiders have suggested that the state won't easily revert to primaries due to the control that the caucus system gives the political parties.