A controversial Minnesota election policy that allows a single registered voter to “vouch” for up to eight people seeking same-day registration is under fire amid the state’s massive fraud scandal tied to the Somali community there.
Under Minnesota law, the registered voter must go with the person or people they are vouching for to the polling place and sign an oath verifying their address, according to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
“A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. This is known as ‘vouching.’ A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters,” the website reads.
Those being vouched for still must provide at least one form of identity verification, which includes a valid Minnesota driver’s license or learner’s permit, a “receipt” for them, or a tribal identification card that includes a photo and signature, according to the rules.
Vouching is then used to verify a potential voter’s residence in the precinct.
As long as the prospective voter can prove they live in the state, proof of ID can include a driver’s license or learner’s permit from any of the 50 states, a passport, an expired ID, military ID, or high school or college ID.
However, critics have noted that Gov. Tim Walz’s 2023 “Driver’s Licenses for All” bill allows people to obtain licenses regardless of immigration status. Licenses carry no marking indicating citizenship, despite being regularly used to register to vote.
“It was made for fraud,” Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, declared in on X.
US Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said he believes his SAVE Act (Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility) could throw a wrench into Minnesota’s policy.
Under the bill, which passed in the House but has stalled in the Senate, voters would be required to provide proof of citizenship to cast their ballots in federal elections.
It would establish criminal penalties for election officials who register applicants who have not provided such documentation.
“The Senate should send it to President Trump’s desk for signature ASAP,” Lee posted on X.
Conservative activist Scott Presler, who has been leading the charge to have the voting policy axed, said he was inspired to probe fraud in Minnesota by YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose video exposing alleged fraud at child care centers in the state went viral this week.
“Does this allow for potential fraud and abuse of our elections? Absolutely,” he commented on Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon’s official website, explaining the voter vouching policy.
“Especially when you consider that MN has same-day voter registration.”
Presler noted on Fox News that former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) won his 2008 election by just over 300 votes when 542,000 Minnesota voters — or 19% — took advantage of same-day registration.
An official in Simon’s office told Fox News that the vouching policy has been intact for “more than 50 years.”
The revelation of the little-known policy sparked outrage online, as the investigation into the rampant fraud in the North Star State intensifies.
“Unacceptable. The cheating is right in front of their faces,” one X user wrote.
“Absolutely insane. We need a federal guideline for all federal elections, including state representatives and senators,” posted another.
“How was this not general knowledge. How t’f we’re none of us informed about this?” another wondered.
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