2026 Convention Information

The 2026 Minneapolis DFL Convention will be on April 18, 2026, at the Washburn High School in South Minneapolis. Registration will begin at 9:30am, and we expect to start proceedings at 10:15am. Enter the school at either Door 3 or Door 10.

100 volunteers have been working hard to ensure the Minneapolis convention is viewed by attendees as fair, well-organized, and transparent. We want to share a bit of information to help you arrive prepared!

Location and parking

We are meeting at Washburn High School,  201 West 49th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55419. There are 2 parking lots—one on 49th, and a small one on 50th. We will have an entrance open by each parking lot (Doors 3+10) starting at 9:30am.

The convention day

  • 9:30 am: Registration opens. When you arrive, please make sure you check in with our credentials team outside of the auditorium. They will mark you as present, and provide you with your credentials for the day—make sure you wear and display your credentials all times.

  • 10:15 am: Convention called to order

  • 1-3pm (approx): Food trucks on-site for lunch: We expect to have two food trucks on site, and hope you will consider purchasing some items from them if you are able. They are showing up without requiring a guarantee from us, and we want to make sure they are able to justify supporting us. We will have D & D Goodies Vietnamese as well as Taste of Chile! We expect this convention to run later than 6pm, and this will be your main chance to get food during the day.

  • 4-6pm (approx): We will also have a visit from the Unbakeable Food Truck. This will be perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, serving safe-to-eat cookie dough, including GF and Vegan options.

Candidate tables: Many candidates have reserved tables for the day. They will be set up in the small gym past the auditorium (if coming from door 10). This is a great chance to learn more about their plans for office and more!

Accessibility: We will be providing professional interpretation services for our Somali speaking neighbors, a sensory friendly space and a nursing room. We currently do not know of additional accessibility needs (language, access, etc.). If you need accommodation for something not listed, please email sd62.chair.dfl@gmail.com detailing the arrangements you need. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Candidate information

These candidates have declared to the Minneapolis DFL that they will be seeking endorsement at this year’s convention:

Campaigns: Register with the Minneapolis DFL via this campaign registration form.

Convention documents

Voluntary contributions

We rely on volunteers, candidate contributions and your own support to assist in sponsoring our convention. We feel it’s extremely important that we are able to provide our neighbors with the opportunity to make their voices heard. We are currently budgeting $10,000 to $13,000 to cover convention expenses and cannot do it without your help. 

We are requesting a voluntary registration fee to help pay for our convention. We want to stress that this is a voluntary contribution. If you can afford it, please pay what you can - the recommended contribution is in the range of $30 to $75. We’d also remind attendees that your first donation of the year to a political party or campaign of up to $75 can be refunded by the state through the Political Contribution Refund program (we will send you a receipt and form to complete). Advance contributions are preferred and can be made via ActBlue, or there will be opportunities for cash or check donations at the convention.

Volunteers at the convention

Unable to donate but still want to help out? We also need more people willing to help on the day of the convention (we will take help from those who are donating too). Please check out our Volunteer Sign-Up if you are willing to chip in some of your time!

Some advice for first-time participants

  • We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle for the day. Drinks in closed containers are allowed in the Washburn auditorium, but food is not allowed to be consumed in the auditorium.

  • It is also a good idea to bring either something to read or a small lap-top hobby. There will be pauses during the day, and other moments when you need a distraction.

  • If you are bringing a phone or tablet, consider also bringing spare batteries as there are few outlets to charge a device in the auditorium.

We look forward to seeing you on April 18!

And before the convention…

Please join us for another Evening With Allies.  This month we'll be at the Driftwood Char Bar in Kingfield the evening of Monday, April 13, from 6-8pm.  Meet your MPLS DFL as we get ready for our citywide DFL convention, talk to candidates and your elected officials, and get ready for a strong election season!