by Jenna Gloeb
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Minnesota GOP are raising concerns about Minnesota’s election system after a non-citizen, lawfully residing in the U.S., reportedly received a primary ballot.
The incident, first reported by Breitbart, has prompted calls for an immediate review of voter rolls and stricter citizenship verification measures.
The non-citizen in question, who did not register to vote or request a ballot, reportedly received the primary ballot unexpectedly and brought it to the attention of the RNC, according to Breitbart.
In response, the Minnesota GOP and RNC have sent a letter to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (DFL), outlining their concerns and demanding a thorough review of the state’s voter rolls. The letter calls for immediate action to ensure that only eligible citizens are registered and receiving ballots.
“Minnesotans deserve full confidence that their elections are secure, and non-citizens have no vote in the future of our country,” stated RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. “We will take every step necessary to ensure that the failures in the system are brought to light and immediately resolved. Non-citizen voting is illegal across America, and that must be enforced at every turn.”
The RNC and Minnesota GOP say that this situation highlights significant flaws in Minnesota’s election system. They contend the state lacks adequate procedures for verifying citizenship during voter registration, which could lead to widespread issues if not addressed.
Last year, Walz signed legislation granting driver’s licenses to an estimated 77,000 illegal immigrants, saying in part that it “will enhance safety in our communities for all Minnesotans.”
However, the GOP has been critical of Walz, saying the new law could further complicate voter registration processes in the state.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office issued a statement acknowledging receipt of the letter but said there was a lack of evidence provided to substantiate the claims. The office emphasized that non-citizens are not eligible to vote in Minnesota and outlined the safeguards in place to prevent such occurrences.
“Our office has received a letter from the Republican National Committee stating a non-citizen received a primary ballot in the mail. However, we have not been provided with any evidence to substantiate the claims made in the letter. If evidence is provided, our staff will review it and determine the appropriate next steps,” the statement read.
It further clarified, “To be clear—non-citizens are not eligible to vote in Minnesota. The Voter Registration Application requires applicants to certify they are U.S. Citizens. Additionally, the State Voter Registration System has several safeguards to check citizenship status through data provided by other state and federal agencies. It is a felony to register to vote or vote while ineligible. If convicted of a felony, non-citizens are at risk of deportation.”
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Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
Photo “Voting Ballot” by Edmond Dantès.
