Free, Fair, Secure and Accurate Elections
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon
The responsibility for holding elections and securing and counting the votes is a responsibility endowed to each state.
Although the Secretary of State is the officer who oversees the election process, each county is responsible for conducting elections at the local level. In fact, the results are tabulated and checked by the local county elections administrator. Election tabulators are not online and not connected to any network.
Once the results have been verified through a very rigorous process, the elections administrator reports them to the Office of the Secretary of State.
Become an Election Judge
Did you know? Paper ballots are kept for backup for 22 months following each election.
Serving as an election judge is an honor and a privilege, but it’s also an an excellent way to learn about the layers of safety measures put into place. Learning about the roles and responsibilities will help you to understand the election process.
The Election Judge Guide 2024 is available online if you want to delve deeper into the election process.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
A lot happens before and after Election Day. Elections judges are just one part in the process. Voting machines must be tested multiple times - before and after each election. The count must be 100% accurate. This involves canvassing boards and post-election review teams. Learn how these trained, bipartisan teams make sure the election results are accurate and verified.
Data integrity has become a critical election issue, as have voter fraud and compromised voting machines. Please read the Election Security Measures for a thorough summary of the numerous protocols used and the agencies that provide security measures.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, you can call or text the Elections Hotline
ALSO: Needles in Haystacks, a study of noncitizen voting violations in Minnesota. Virgil Wiebe, Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law