Checks and Balances in
Minnesota’s Elections
– All Minnesota elections are run locally. Over 30,000 Minnesota election workers put partisan preferences aside and work to ensure every election runs smoothly, and that each and every vote is secure and counted accurately.
– They are Republicans, Democrats and Independents. They live in your community, are your neighbors, and include supporters of every candidate on the ballot.
– All Minnesota elections use paper ballots, so there is a record of each and every vote.
– Election results are not final until the last vote is counted.
– Our post-election review process, featuring hand-count audits, adds an additional layer of verification, ensuring the accuracy of our results.
LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT COMMON ELECTION MYTHS
People from both political parties work together at every step of the voting, counting and reporting process in MN
From registering to vote, to casting your ballot, to counting every vote – a bipartisan group of folks oversees our elections to make sure that our processes are fair, transparent, and secure.
Review the Facts About Minnesota's Election Safeguards
Pre-Election
Voter Registration
Voter registration requires proof of identity and proof of residence, as well as taking an oath of eligibility to vote. If you lie, you could be charged with a felony.
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Those qualified to vote are registered when they obtain or renew their driver’s license or receive certain state public services. The state’s Public Safety Department checks for citizenship and disqualifies noncitizens from being registered, even if they have a driver’s license.
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A 2024 study by the University of St. Thomas Law school found only 3 convictions of noncitizens voting in Minnesota between 2015 through 2023 out of 14 million votes.
Pre-Election
Public Accuracy Test
All Minnesota counties and municipalities are required to administer public accuracy tests of voting equipment before every election. These events must be open to all members of the public and observed by at least two election judges from different political parties.
During Election
Voting In Person
Voters must provide their name and address, and if questioned, their date of birth and must sign an oath that they are eligible and acknowledge giving false information is a felony, punishable by a prison sentence.
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Sensitive tasks, like assisting voters or counting ballots, must be conducted by two election judges of different political parties.
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Voting machines are not connected to the internet, outsiders can’t manipulate them and every vote has a paper ballot.
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Ballot integrity is ensured via a daily 3-step bipartisan matching of the number of ballots issued with the number indicated on the ballot tabulator and the number of paper ballots in the box.
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Non-partisan election officials are legally required to monitor and track every ballot through every stage of the process.
During Election
Voting By Mail
Absentee ballots require ID verification, a witness, and the voter’s signature. If a voter’s ballot is accepted, it is entered into the Statewide Voter Registration System to ensure they cannot vote again on election day.
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Drop boxes are maintained by the county auditor or municipal clerk, not the USPS.
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Non-partisan election officials are legally required to monitor and track every ballot through every stage of the process.
Post-Election
Public Tests, Audits, and Records
The recount process is determined and detailed by Minnesota law. Recounts are open to the public. Viewing areas are established for the public to watch the recounting of ballots and attend all county and State Canvassing Board meetings.
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A bipartisan post-election audit is conducted to certify the election for local, state and federal elections, which are open to the public, and includes a final report for all counties.
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After the audit, all ballots are kept in protected storage for 22 months.
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A formal complaint and public recount process already exists to address the very negligible errors that can occur.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR ELECTIONS GO TO:
Information provided above is courtesy of the League of Women Voters and the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.
We are dedicated to educating Minnesotans about ways to maintain and enhance the democratic power of ordinary citizens.