Minnesota Midterms: 99.9999% Accuracy Amidst Federal Scrutiny

Secretary of State Steve Simon calculated that Minnesota’s election accuracy rate stands at 99.9999%, a figure he cited to counter federal claims of widespread voter fraud. This statistic reflects the 10 individuals recently charged by the U.S. Attorney General with voting as non-citizens out of 8.5 million people who cast ballots in prior elections. Simon described the discrepancy as microscopic, emphasizing that the state’s system remains fundamentally fair and secure despite months of administrative rhetoric.

The current climate of anxiety follows the Trump administration’s repeated legal challenges to mail voting and unsubstantiated allegations of illegal activity. These developments intensified after Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration crackdown that prompted local democracy organizations to build rapid-response networks. The state government has spent the past several months preparing for potential interference, coordinating with federal agencies to define the roles of observers and law enforcement on Election Day.

On October 15, Sahan Journal hosted a panel at SPNN studios in St. Paul to address these concerns. The discussion included Simon, Habon Abdulle, executive director of Ayada Leads, and Jose Alvillar, lead immigration organizer for Unidos MN. The group fielded questions from reporters Mohmaed Ibrahim and Joey Peters, as well as a live audience, regarding specific scenarios involving federal presence at polling locations.

Simon clarified that ICE cannot be present at polling places unless expressly invited by poll workers or election judges. Law enforcement may only enter if summoned for a specific incident, such as a medical emergency or a physical altercation. He noted that Department of Justice observers are also present under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Minnesota officials collaborated with the Attorney General’s office to monitor these federal observers during the August primaries. Simon reported that the 1,000 DOJ observers planned for the national midterms largely complied with the 100-foot exclusion zone, moving only when asked.

Federal agents cannot seize ballots based on hearsay or dissatisfaction with outcomes, Simon stated. Such actions would require a judge’s warrant supported by concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Courts would likely interpret any such warrant narrowly. He advised voters who witness interference to speak directly to the election judge, who maintains a pipeline to local law enforcement and county administrators. The Secretary of State’s Office also maintains a hotline at 877-600-VOTE for reporting issues.

Community organizers are advising constitutional observers to avoid standing directly at the polls this cycle. Alvillar noted that a large gathering of observers in vests could be used by the administration to allege voter intimidation. Instead, volunteers are encouraged to table approximately 100 feet away, offering coffee and cookies without signage or messaging. This approach aims to welcome voters without creating a scene that could be misconstrued as interference.

Abdulle and Alvillar urged voters to assist family and friends with language barriers or transportation difficulties, while refraining from directing how they vote. They recommended checking the Secretary of State’s website, mnvotes.gov, for verified information to combat the spread of AI-generated misinformation on social media. The full recording of the panel will air on MPR News at 9:00 p.m. on October 30 and 5:00 p.m. on November 1.

The next major step for voters is the midterm election itself, scheduled for November 3. Local officials will continue to monitor polling places, while federal observers remain on standby. The Secretary of State’s office will track reports of irregularities through the established hotline and direct communication with election judges.