Minnesota’s election system was built on bipartisan oversight and transparency. Election judges have traditionally served as a safeguard during ballot processing because they represent balanced party participation and public accountability. In recent years, absentee ballot boards have increasingly relied on temporary staff and government employees instead of properly appointed election judges.

When bipartisan oversight is removed from the process, public confidence suffers. Ballot handling should never occur behind closed doors or under procedures that minimize transparency. Restoring the use of election judges on absentee ballot boards is essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring every ballot is processed under equal scrutiny and accountability.

Steve Simon promotes the use of deputy county auditors over party-balanced election judges for ballot processing. He makes this clear in his Voting Administration Guides. His judgment is flawed and therefore he must be replaced.

For further detail on this issue, visit the ABB page here.

Security seals exist for one reason: to protect the chain of custody of ballots, voting equipment, and election materials. When seals are improperly logged, inconsistently applied, or ignored altogether, it weakens confidence in the integrity of the election process.

Election procedures must be standardized and enforced uniformly across the state. Every county should follow the same clear protocols for documenting, verifying, and securing election materials. Basic security measures only work when they are taken seriously and applied consistently.

Permanent absentee voting was expanded with the promise of convenience, but convenience cannot come at the expense of accountability. When ballots are automatically mailed year after year without meaningful bipartisan oversight during processing, opportunities for error, outdated records, and abuse increase.

Minnesota should ensure absentee voting remains secure, transparent, and actively maintained. Voter records should be regularly verified, and absentee ballot processing should always involve proper oversight and accountability measures.

Election laws and procedures should be applied equally in every county and precinct in Minnesota. Unfortunately, guidance from the Secretary of State’s office is often interpreted differently depending on the jurisdiction, leading to inconsistent enforcement and unequal standards across the state.

Voters deserve confidence that the same rules apply everywhere, regardless of geography or politics. Clear statewide standards, uniform training, and consistent enforcement are necessary to ensure fairness and public trust in every election.

Accurate voter rolls are essential to maintaining confidence in elections. Outdated registrations involving moved voters, duplicate records, or deceased individuals create unnecessary vulnerabilities and reduce public trust in the system.

Minnesota should regularly maintain and verify voter registration lists using available state and federal data while protecting the rights of eligible voters. Clean voter rolls help ensure elections are accurate, efficient, and transparent.

Sample ballots are intended for voter education and demonstration purposes only. Any ballots entering the counting process without proper markings, controls, or accountability raises serious concerns about election security and chain of custody procedures.

Election systems should maintain strict controls over all ballots from printing to final tabulation. Clear documentation, secure handling procedures, and bipartisan oversight are necessary to prevent confusion and protect public confidence.

Voting rights carry important civic responsibilities, and election laws should be clear, enforceable, and consistently applied. Confusion surrounding voting eligibility for individuals with felony convictions has created uncertainty for both election officials and voters.

Minnesota should ensure that eligibility standards are clearly communicated and that election systems accurately verify voter qualifications while protecting lawful participation and preventing unlawful voting.

Minnesota elections should be decided by eligible Minnesota residents. Concerns arise when voter registrations are not regularly updated to reflect individuals who have permanently moved out of state.

Accurate residency verification and improved interstate data coordination can help maintain clean voter rolls and ensure that only eligible Minnesota residents participate in Minnesota elections.

Public confidence in elections depends on verifying that every voter is legally eligible to vote. Requiring identification and proof of citizenship provides a straightforward and consistent standard that helps protect election integrity while simplifying verification for election officials.

Minnesota already requires identification for many important activities in daily life. Applying similar standards to voting would strengthen confidence that elections are secure, fair, and limited to eligible citizens.

Minnesota’s voter vouching system allows one voter to verify the residency of up to eight other individuals who lack standard proof of residence. While intended to assist eligible voters, the system can create opportunities for inconsistent verification and abuse if not carefully monitored.

Election laws should prioritize accurate voter verification while maintaining accessibility for lawful voters. Strengthening residency verification standards would improve consistency and public confidence in the registration process.

Minnesota’s lengthy early voting and absentee voting period creates significant administrative and security challenges. Ballots are cast weeks before Election Day, often before major debates, campaign developments, or important information becomes available to voters.

A shorter election cycle would reduce administrative strain, improve ballot security, and allow more voters to make informed decisions closer to Election Day. Elections should balance accessibility with accountability and public confidence.

Minnesota’s same-day registration system increases voter access, but it also places additional pressure on election officials to verify eligibility quickly and accurately. Improved verification tools and consistent standards can help protect both accessibility and election integrity.

Every ballot should be traceable and accounted for from issuance to final tabulation. Strong chain of custody procedures, public documentation, and bipartisan oversight are essential to maintaining trust in election outcomes.

Election laws lose credibility when they are enforced unevenly. State officials should apply election laws consistently regardless of political pressure, geography, or party affiliation.

Minnesota depends heavily on election judges to operate polling places and process ballots. Strong recruitment, bipartisan balance, and standardized training are essential to ensuring elections are conducted fairly and professionally statewide.

Election processes should be open, understandable, and observable by the public. Increased transparency in ballot handling, rulemaking, and election administration can help restore confidence and reduce confusion surrounding elections.