The Most Important Thing You Can Do for the Boundary Waters: Become a Clean Water Delegate

Advocacy

What does it mean to become a Prove It First delegate in Minnesota? It means contributing a powerful voice to an issue that people from all walks of life care about: clean water.

In a recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, 61 percent of Minnesotans agree with banning copper-nickel mining in areas where pollution from a mine could run off into the Boundary Waters. 

An almost equal number (57 percent) support the proposed Prove It First law. This law would make companies prove that at least one similar mine had operated for at least ten years. In addition, prove that one had been closed for ten years without causing pollution.

These are strong majorities.

And you are the key to passing this powerful, popular bill into law.

How?

We want you to be a Prove It First delegate in the upcoming election. Email us at info@friends-bwca.org for information.

What is a Minnesota delegate?

In Minnesota, the way political parties endorse candidates and adopt a policy platform is through the caucus system.

A caucus is a gathering of citizens from your community and neighborhoods. Often called “Democracy in Action,” participating in the caucus is how ordinary people can have a big impact on shaping policy and government.

NOTE: This year, many caucuses are being conducted “contactless”, so attending an in-person meeting may not be required. Check your local party/district for details.

How do I stand up for clean water?

Becoming a delegate is simple. Simply attend your local precinct caucus meeting either in-person or contactless on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Here you will advocate that the party adopt a Prove It First resolution. (NOTE: Due to COVID, many caucuses are being conducted “contactless”, and delegates may be able to promote resolutions by printing, mailing, or submitting remotely using electronic forms. Check your local party/district for details.)

From here you’ll move on and attend either the state senate or county level caucus. 

DFL Caucus Process

First Step: Visit DFL.org to find your caucus information and to see if you caucus will be in person or contactless.

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Contactless: 

  1. Download the DFL non-attendee form and add your personal information. Download the Prove It First resolution form and add your personal information. Please see “Reminders” below for additional information. Save both forms—be sure to save the form with your changes.
  2. You now have two options to submit these two forms
    1. Email both forms to your organizing unit chair by January 29th. Your chair’s contact information can be found at www.caucus.dfl.org when you enter your address

OR, you may drop off the forms in person on February 1st

In person:
Print out the Prove It First Resolution form, and bring it to your caucus with you on the evening of Feb 1st. When the caucus organizers begin to talk about resolutions, you will read the Prove It First resolution aloud and the group will vote on it.

Note: If your caucus is “in person” there is still an option to submit a non-attendee form instead of going in person. If you’d like to do this option, follow the steps above for contactless caucusing. However, not attending in person may put you at a disadvantage for being selected to continue on to your senate district/ county convention and the state convention.

Reminders: 

  • Please try to get as far in this process as you are able. Please select on your form that you would like to be a delegate for your organizing unit, county, and senate district. If you are attending in person, please let the organizer know that you would like to do this. The goal is to ultimately have as many Prove It First delegates as possible attend the state convention in May 2022.

GOP Caucus Process

Visit Caucusfinder to find your caucus information and to see if you caucus will be in person or contactless.

MORE…

Print out the Prove It First Resolution form, and bring it to your caucus with you on the evening of Feb 1st. When the caucus organizers begin to talk about resolutions, you will read the Prove It First resolution aloud and the group will vote on it.

 

Reminders: 

  • Please try to get as far in this process as you are able. Please select on your form that you would like to be a delegate for your organizing unit, county, and senate district. If you are attending in person, please let the organizer know that you would like to do this. The goal is to ultimately have as many Prove It First delegates as possible attend the state convention in May 2022.
  • Links to the Prove it First Resolution, caucus finder, and other information are available below.

Find a third-party caucus

Download the Prove It First Resolution for the DFL Caucus

Download the Prove It First Resolution for the GOP Caucus

Trouble with downloads? Click for specific resolution text

What’s the goal of Prove It First delegate?

Ultimately, you’ll attend the state convention, which for both parties will be in Rochester this year. Once at the convention, Prove It First delegates will vote to adopt their resolution as part of the party platform. 

Then, with enough statewide delegates, we can make Prove It First, a bill that the majority of Minnesotans support, part of the official party platform.

If you live in Minnesota, this is the most important thing you can do for the Boundary Waters and Lake Superior between now and February 1.

Resolution text for Caucus forms

DFL Resolution Text

Title: Prove It First

Be It Resolved That: The DFL party supports a moratorium banning copper-nickel sulfide mining in Minnesota’s watersheds until it is proven first to be safe in water-rich environments. This will protect some of America’s greatest treasures including but not limited to Lake Superior, the BWCAW, Voyageurs National Park, and the Mississippi River.

Supportive Points: -Copper-sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota and has never been done anywhere without polluting.
-This industry is ranked as the most polluting in America for chemical releases by the EPA.
-Thousands of jobs depend on the clean water of NE MN.

GOP Resolution Text

Support a moratorium banning copper-nickel sulfide mining in Minnesota’s watersheds until it is proven first to be safe in water-rich environments. This will protect some of America’s greatest treasures including but not limited to Lake Superior, the BWCAW, Voyageurs National Park, and the Mississippi River.

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