This is as grassroots as it gets. If Minnesotans want elections that are fair, honest, and secure, the responsibility cannot be left solely to lawmakers or distant officials, it must be taken up by the people themselves. Real accountability begins at the local level, with informed citizens stepping forward, participating directly, and insisting on transparency in the process. This urgent, 3-step plan is a call to action for everyday individuals to reclaim confidence in election administration through lawful, visible, and community-driven involvement.

The path forward is clear and entirely achievable:

1. LEARN what an election judge is, how they are selected, and what their responsibilities are. Understanding the structure of election administration is the first step toward meaningful oversight.
2. SIGN UP to be an election judge with a major political party, your municipality, and your county’s Absentee Ballot Board. Direct participation ensures transparency and accountability from within the system.
3. ADVOCATE with your county auditor (if elected) or county commissioners (if the auditor is appointed) to adopt a resolution requiring that ONLY ELECTION JUDGES are used to handle ALL BALLOTS throughout the ENTIRE ELECTION CYCLE. This approach is fully compliant with statute and represents a clear standard of best practice for restoring full bipartisan oversight.

To those running for public office: you are not immune. The integrity of the election system directly impacts your campaign and your voters’ trust in the outcome. Make this plan a central part of your platform. Use your voice to elevate the issue, educate your supporters, and demand adherence to these standards. Your leadership can amplify this effort, bring widespread attention, and mobilize communities across Minnesota to take action.

This effort will only succeed if it grows. Share this plan with your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your colleagues. Encourage them to learn, to sign up, and to show up. When enough citizens engage, speak out, and demand adherence to these practices, it becomes impossible for county officials to ignore. Change at this level does not require permission—it requires participation, persistence, and the collective will of the people.