Washington (CNN)Bernie Sanders might not be a member of the Democratic Party, but the independent senator from Vermont is openly considering a run at the party's presidential nomination -- and that might not be a problem after all. According to a Democratic National Committee aide, Sanders would not have a problem getting on Democratic primary and caucus ballots because the current party rules do not call for presidential candidates to be registered members of the party. The DNC defines a presidential candidate as someone who "has accrued delegates in the nominating process and plans to seek the nomination, has established substantial support for his or her nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Office of the President of the United States, is a bona fide Democrat whose record of public service, accomplishment, public writings and/or public statements affirmatively demonstrates that he or she is faithful to the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States, and will participate in the Convention in good faith."
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A Democratic National Committee aide says the fact Bernie Sanders isn't a registered Democrat might not be a presidential problem for him
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The party defines "bona fide Democrats" as someone "whose record of public service, accomplishment, public writings" comport with the party
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Sanders has been an independent since the 1980s, but has caucused with the Democrats since coming to Congress in 1991
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