Minnesota Republicans voice concerns about election security after absentee voting debacle

With less than two weeks until Election Day, there is new criticism of Minnesota’s secretary of state.

It came after the votes Left unattended in front of Edina City Hall last week.

“Every ballot box in every corner of the state, from Lake of the Woods to Worthington, must be afforded the same degree of security and protection,” former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said at a news conference Thursday.

Kiffmeyer joined other Republicans in raising questions about why only one person was carrying ballots instead of having other independent observers with them.

Secretary of State Steve Simon said state election law only requires two observers from different political parties Election Daynot for the entire early voting period.

On Thursday, Kiffmeyer called on Simon to apply the same standard to all ballots in Minnesota.

“I urge the Secretary of State to change his mind immediately, not only because it is a legally correct interpretation, but because it is pure common sense,” Kiffmeyer said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS previously reported that a photo went viral on social media after the tailgate of a van carrying ballot boxes was left open for eight minutes. The courier who carried them was fired.

Simon said every vote was taken into account and none was tampered with.