Minnesota Independent

Witnesses for Emmer complaint are for most part Republican activists

By Andy Birkey | 11.18.10 | 2:47 pm

In a petition filed by the Republican Party of Minnesota and Tom Emmer’s gubernatorial campaign with the Minnesota Supreme Court, election judges from around the state submitted affidavits stating that reconciliation between registered voters and ballots was not done correctly in their precincts. The GOP said improper record keeping on election night resulted in thousands of “phantom votes” while the Dayton campaign called the complaint a delay tactic. The vast majority of the witnesses in the complaint are Republican activists or are connected to the tea party movement.

Does politicking since Nov. 4 smear officials, process? Election judges say no

By Chris Steller | 11.12.08 | 1:07 pm

Charges are flying that post-election lawsuits, press releases, talking points, and media (un)availabilities are smearing — or worse, interfering in — Minnesota’s election process, and sliming — or worse, intentionally intimidating — the state’s election officials. Setting aside for the moment the current and serious question of whether intimidation tactics are in play, it’s worth hearing out two Minnesota Independent commenters, self-identified election judges both, who say they don’t feel slimed by basic calls for review, recount and investigation.

With demand halved, oversupply of election judges seems unsurprising

By Chris Steller | 11.03.08 | 1:41 pm

Inspired by a new Pioneer Press article and Minnesota GOP chair Ron Carey’s mastery of basic math, I decided to try again to understand why Ramsey County officials consider their oversupply of election judges remarkable. Wouldn’t they expect to…