Belief within the election course of took a severe hit after a disturbing picture surfaced on social media exhibiting a automobile, full of absentee ballots, left huge open and unattended in a public car parking zone exterior Edina Metropolis Corridor.
The official X account of Senate District 50 Republicans in Minnesota, representing residents of Edina and Bloomington, shared the alarming picture, sparking outrage amongst native residents and election watchdogs.
The incriminating picture exhibits bins of ballots tied with blue and crimson straps sitting inside an unlocked automobile with its hatchback totally open.
SD50MNGOP referred to as out the incident, posting, “Do these ballots look safe to you? Photograph exterior Edina Metropolis Corridor.”
“Witness watched as the motive force left the automobile to go inside to get extra bins, leaving the automobile open and unattended,” SD50MNGOP added.
Do these ballots look safe to you? Photograph exterior Edina Metropolis Corridor. @MNSteveSimon @GOPMNCD3 @MNCD5GOP @gop @EdinaMN @EdinaPatch @edinacityman @EdinaPolice @EdinaMag @lizcollin @AlphaNewsMN @Sd46G @SD50DFL @billglahn pic.twitter.com/SF03NMdpXL
— SD50MNGOP (@SD50MNGOP) October 18, 2024
Town of Edina shortly responded, claiming the automobile belonged to a Hennepin County courier liable for selecting up absentee ballots from varied cities.
In line with Hennepin County Auditor Daniel Rogan, all of the ballots transferred had been accounted for and securely sealed earlier than and after the switch.
“The automobile pictured is a Hennepin County courier that got here to select up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his automobile are ballots that he picked up from different cities earlier than coming to Edina,” based on town’s communications officer, recognized solely as Jennifer.
“All switch instances had been acquired in sealed situation, and all anticipated ballots are accounted for by Hennepin County, based on Daniel Rogan, Hennepin County Auditor.”
The automobile pictured is a Hennepin County courier that got here to select up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his automobile are ballots that he picked up from different cities earlier than coming to Edina. All switch instances had been acquired in sealed situation, and all anticipated ballots…
— Metropolis of Edina, MN (@EdinaMN) October 18, 2024
State Consultant Harry Niska was fast to voice his concern, stating, “That is extraordinarily regarding,” echoing the feelings of many who really feel that the safety of the ballots was compromised.
One other on-line commenter pointedly criticized the breach of protocol, stating, “You misplaced the chain of custody.”
One other demanded specifics: “Are you able to affirm the courier firm, the variety of drivers, and the way you recognize these ballots are from different cities?”
Town supplied additional clarification, releasing surveillance footage from the car parking zone, claiming it confirmed the ballots weren’t tampered with whereas left unattended.
“This was a Hennepin County courier. I’m not conscious of the corporate title. The surveillance footage from the car parking zone exhibits one particular person exit the automobile after which return with Edina’s poll switch instances on a dolly,” town mentioned.
“These instances had been loaded into the van with those that had been photographed. The Metropolis has launched surveillance footage of the car parking zone on the time, which exhibits the ballots within the County courier automobile weren’t tampered with whereas left unattended…”
This was a Hennepin County courier. I’m not conscious of the corporate title. The surveillance footage from the car parking zone exhibits one particular person exit the automobile after which return with Edina’s poll switch instances on a dolly. These instances had been loaded into the van with those that had been…
— Metropolis of Edina, MN (@EdinaMN) October 19, 2024
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhE9H7dD_g
However regardless of the reassurance from officers, the injury was already completed.
Within the courtroom of public opinion, the incident raised severe crimson flags in regards to the safety of absentee ballots in Edina.
Hennepin County officers have since promised to overview their protocols and tighten safety measures.
Learn the county officers full assertion:
Hennepin County issued the next assertion a few poll switch pick-up at Edina Metropolis Corridor Oct. 18.
The Metropolis has launched surveillance footage of the car parking zone on the time, which exhibits the ballots within the County courier automobile weren’t tampered with whereas left unattended: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ANhE9H7dD_g…
October 18, 2024 (Minneapolis) – A Hennepin County courier automobile was photographed on October 18 at Edina Metropolis Corridor throughout a poll switch pick-up.
The {photograph} confirmed the automobile’s rear door ajar with poll switch instances inside.
The protocol for transporting ballots is that they’re to be secured always and Hennepin County has alerted its courier of this incident.
Hennepin County has reviewed the incident and decided that every one anticipated ballots have been accounted for and located no proof of tampering with sealed switch instances.
That is completed by evaluating the ballots acquired from the courier with the document within the Statewide Voter Registration System for all absentee ballots accepted by cities.
The comparability demonstrated a 100% match, and this step is routine within the poll integrity course of, occurring with each switch.
Employees have inspected particular person ballots and decided that absentee poll envelopes inside the instances had been acquired in sealed situation as nicely. This inspection can be a routine election integrity course of.
Poll switch protocols be sure that each particular person absentee poll is tracked from issuance to acceptance, making certain the integrity of absentee course of, whether or not ballots are solid in-person or by mail.
Hennepin County Auditor Daniel Rogan: “Election safety is of utmost significance, and Hennepin County will reinforce its switch protocols with all county employees and distributors.
An incident like this underscores the worth of sturdy chain-of-custody processes, in order that danger might be addressed and integrity might be verified.”
