DOJ Demands Minnesota Voting Records Amid Same-Day Registration and Vouching Concerns
The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, has requested unredacted voting records from Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. This request focuses on same-day voter registration and the state's vouching practices for the March 2024 primary and the November 2024 general election. Specifically, the DOJ seeks digital records on same-day registrations, votes cast by same-day registrants, and files related to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) audit and compliance.
Dhillon expressed concerns regarding Minnesota's vouching policy, which permits a registered voter to vouch for up to eight individuals who register on Election Day. Minnesota law requires vouched voters to be accompanied to the polling place and to sign an oath verifying residency. For voters who are not vouched for, providing at least one form of identification or residency verification is mandatory. Acceptable IDs include Minnesota or out-of-state driver's licenses, passports, and tribal IDs with photo and signature.
This vouching policy was introduced by Governor Tim Walz in 2023 as part of the Driver’s Licenses for All initiative, allowing the issuance of driver's licenses without citizenship status markings, regardless of immigration status. The Department of Justice indicated that the records request aims to ensure Minnesota’s registration and voting procedures comply with federal laws, particularly the minimum standards set forth by HAVA. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Republican activist Scott Presler praised the DOJ's actions, describing them as a significant development.
