President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is requesting records from Minnesota regarding its voter registration practices. This comes amid concerns about the state’s same-day registration policy, which allows registered voters to “guarantee” the registration of up to eight individuals on Election Day.
The scrutiny of this policy has intensified, particularly in light of a significant welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota. On Friday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon addressed a letter to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, asking for unredacted records related to the upcoming March 2024 primary and November 2024 general elections.
In her letter, Dillon stressed that states should provide digital records concerning same-day registrations, the corresponding voting, as well as audit and compliance documents as required under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). She emphasized that the goal of this request is to ensure that Minnesota’s election practices adhere to federal standards.
Dillon highlighted a particular interest in registrations and votes that rely on “assurances” made by other registered voters or staff from residential facilities during same-day registration.
Minnesota is also facing scrutiny due to a law signed by Gov. Tim Walz in 2023, which allows for the issuance of driver’s licenses without regard to immigration status. The licenses do not indicate citizenship, raising concerns since IDs are typically required for voter registration.
The state law permits same-day voter registration through a process known as “assurance.” This allows a registered voter to confirm the residency of up to eight other individuals looking to register without presenting valid identification. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, registered voters must accompany these individuals to the polls and sign an affidavit to confirm their address.
The Justice Department noted that a registered voter can vouch for multiple individuals, but if someone vouches for themselves, they cannot vouch for anyone else. Those without insurance who wish to register on the same day must show at least one form of identification, such as a Minnesota driver’s license, a receipt thereof, or a tribal ID with photo and signature.
Identification can include a range of documents as long as they verify residency. This might be a driver’s license, a state learner’s permit, a passport, or even expired IDs, military IDs, and school IDs from Minnesota institutions.
If individuals have moved within their district or have a name change, they can still vote by notifying the election judge about their previous details.
Simon’s office has not yet commented on the request from the Justice Department.
Scott Pressler, a Republican activist involved in national voter registration efforts, expressed his support for Dillon’s actions, calling it an impressive development.
