The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered election officials in Hennepin County, the state’s most populous county, to appoint new members to the absentee ballot board based on a list submitted by the state’s Republican Party. The court found that the county had not complied with the state law requiring a balance of election judges from both parties. The deadline for the county to comply with the order is Friday. The ruling does not invalidate the absentee ballots already received by the county, which number over 263,000, with the majority being accepted by the current review board.
The dispute arose after the Republican Party of Minnesota and the Minnesota Voters Alliance petitioned the court, claiming that none of the volunteers on the Republican Party’s list had been appointed to the Hennepin County absentee ballot board. The board consists of five election judges and deputy county auditors and plays a crucial role in processing and counting absentee ballots. The county officials argued that they were following state law by appointing board members who were not on the list submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office, but the Supreme Court disagreed and mandated that names from political parties’ lists must be used to fill board seats.
Hennepin County Auditor, Daniel Rogan, stated that the county would start recruiting election judges for the absentee ballot board by sending emails to individuals on the Republican Party’s list. The Supreme Court ruling was perceived as a victory for election integrity by the State GOP chair, David Hann, who emphasized the importance of adhering to the law when appointing election judges. The ruling is expected to provide clarity on the process of filling absentee ballot boards and is not anticipated to delay the ongoing verification of absentee ballots in the county.
The Secretary of State’s Office welcomed the court’s decision, stating that it clarified a previously ambiguous statute and would ensure the proper functioning of the absentee ballot verification processes. Republicans expressed concerns over the potential for similar issues in other counties, although they did not have specific evidence of non-compliance elsewhere. The focus on Hennepin County was due to its size and the importance of maintaining election integrity in a crucial swing state. The court ruling highlighted the significance of following the law in appointing election judges to ensure a fair and transparent election process.
Prior to the court ruling, Hennepin County election officials came under scrutiny after a private courier’s vehicle was left unattended with the trunk open outside Edina City Hall, where absentee ballots were being collected. The incident raised questions about the security of ballot transportation, but the county clarified that all ballots were secure and accounted for, and no tampering had occurred. The courier company took action by dismissing the driver involved in the incident. The county’s response to the situation reflected a commitment to addressing concerns and upholding the integrity of the election process.
