FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2026

David Meissner Announces Campaign for Secretary of State, Calls for Restoring Confidence in Minnesota’s Election System

Chaska, Minnesota — David Meissner today announced his candidacy for Minnesota Secretary of State, emphasizing that Minnesota’s election system lacks fundamental security measures, including bipartisan oversight of absentee ballots. He says restoring public confidence must begin immediately.

"With absentee and early ballots accounting for more than 38% of all votes cast in 2024, this is a serious concern," Meissner said. "Bipartisan oversight is the first tenet of secure elections—and today, it is absent from Absentee Ballot Board requirements."

After attending a 2024 Post Election Review, Meissner recognized serious issues in how election procedures are carried out. He then undertook a focused effort to examine the process. Through his analysis of Minnesota election statutes and absentee ballot handling practices, he developed a clear understanding of how absentee ballots are received, verified, and counted. That work revealed 18 years of legislative changes affecting ballot-handling procedures, which have directly weakened safeguards that once ensured the integrity of the process.

Recognizing the need for accountability and reform, Meissner became active in his local political organization, where he was elected to the Executive Committee and served on the organization’s election review task force.

"I’m running for Secretary of State because public confidence in our elections has been eroded and must be restored so every Minnesotan can trust their vote is protected," Meissner said. "Voters expect every ballot to be handled securely and transparently from the moment it is received until it is counted. That expectation should always be met, but with regard to absentee ballots, it is not. I intend to fix that. This is about protecting every Minnesotan, regardless of political party."

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