WORCESTER -- More than 5,000 Democrats from across Massachusetts will consider the future direction of their party and vote on a new policy platform Saturday, as they gather in Worcester for their annual state convention.

Although the 2017 issued-focused event will not be a nominating convention, it will give delegates the opportunity to weigh-in on policies the state party should prioritize heading into the 2018 election cycle.

The convention's policy-oriented focus, however, could spark debate over how progressive the Massachusetts Democratic Party's platform should be -- an issue that came to a head at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

The 2017 Massachusetts Democratic Party draft platform, which delegates will vote to approve or reject, looks to commit leaders and elected officials to supporting an array of policies.

They, among many things, include: free, high-quality public education regardless of zip code and socio-economic background; aggressive action to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change; a single-payer health care system and fully funded addiction prevention and recovery programs; "fair and sensible" immigration policies; equal justice under the law; living wages; and a progressive tax system that "asks the wealthy to pay their fair share."

It further states that Massachusetts Democrats will fight for: a $15 per hour minimum wage that's increased and indexed to inflation; paid family and medical leave insurance; comprehensive criminal justice overhauls; universal background checks for firearms and a ban on assault weapons; an additional tax on annual income above $1 million; increased access to improved health care services for veterans; and early voting in all elections, among other policies.

Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Gus Bickford said the 2017 draft platform "was built upon an extensive series of statewide public hearings attended by nearly one thousand people."

"As we always do, we will have a full and open debate and pass a platform that all Democrats can support," he said in a statement.

Paul Feeney, a Platform Committee co-chair and the former Massachusetts director for Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign, cast the 2017 state party platform as a "bold statement" of the values pushed by the Vermont senator's post-election Our Revolution effort.

"Our Revolution Massachusetts and their allies have led an impressive, grassroots effort to recruit delegates, mobilize Democrats and organize voters around a shared set of ideals that lift people up and gives them hope," he said in a statement.

Our Revolution Massachusetts, working with other progressive groups, pushed for various issues at platform hearings in April and May, including support for a $15 per hour minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, an end to high-stakes testing, free public education and making Massachusetts a so-called sanctuary state, among other things, organizers said.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren, one of the three 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidates slated to speak at the convention, meanwhile, called the draft platform "a challenge to (the) party's elected leaders."

"It's time for Democrats to ask what kind of Commonwealth we want to be - and it's time for many elected Democrats to catch up to what the grassroots already knows: We need to implement big strategies to stem the tide of economic inequality like single-payer health care and free public college...This draft platform and the open and transparent process that created it make a powerful statement about who we are as a party, what we believe and what we will fight for," he said in a statement.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party hosted 11 public hearings across the state in working to craft its 2017 platform, officials said.

More than 700 progressive delegates and 1,500 first-time delegates are slated to attend the issues-focused event.

In addition to voting on the party's platform, delegates will hear from an array of state Democratic leaders, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey; U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, of Worcester; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; Auditor Suzanne Bump; and state Senate President Stan Rosenberg.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Bob Massie and Jay Gonzalez will also join Setti Warren in addressing convention-goers.

The convention will further celebrate the recent 100th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's birth, party officials announced.