Bakk to co-author bill backing switch to primary

Leaders of both the state House and state Senate say they're open to a proposal that would swap the state's caucus system for a presidential primary.

Some caucus-goers last week reported long lines and there were reports that some precincts ran out of ballots.

DFL Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said he'll co-author a bill to make Minnesota a presidential primary state.

"I don't co-author a lot of bills because it sends a very strong message when leaders co-author bills, but that is one that I plan to co-author this session and hope to pass in the Senate," he told MPR News' Cathy Wurzer.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt said last week's high voter turnout may have exceeded the capacity of the caucus system. Gov. Mark Dayton said last week that he supports a presidential primary in the state. The last time Minnesota held a presidential primary was in 1992.

Daudt and Bakk also spoke about the 2016 Minnesota legislative session, which starts Tuesday.