Belief within the election course of took a severe hit after a disturbing photograph surfaced on social media exhibiting a car, filled with absentee ballots, left extensive open and unattended in a public 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 photograph reveals containers of ballots tied with blue and crimson straps sitting inside an unlocked car with its hatchback absolutely 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 car to go inside to get extra containers, leaving the car 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
The town of Edina shortly responded, claiming the car belonged to a Hennepin County courier answerable for selecting up absentee ballots from varied cities.
In response to Hennepin County Auditor Daniel Rogan, all of the ballots transferred had been accounted for and securely sealed earlier than and after the switch.
“The car pictured is a Hennepin County courier that got here to select up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his car are ballots that he picked up from different cities earlier than coming to Edina,” in response to town’s communications officer, recognized solely as Jennifer.
“All switch circumstances had been obtained in sealed situation, and all anticipated ballots are accounted for by Hennepin County, in response to Daniel Rogan, Hennepin County Auditor.”
The car pictured is a Hennepin County courier that got here to select up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his car are ballots that he picked up from different cities earlier than coming to Edina. All switch circumstances had been obtained 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 emotions 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 verify the courier firm, the variety of drivers, and the way you realize these ballots are from different cities?”
The town offered additional clarification, releasing surveillance footage from the 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 parking zone reveals one particular person exit the car after which return with Edina’s poll switch circumstances on a dolly,” town stated.
“These circumstances had been loaded into the van with those that had been photographed. The Metropolis has launched surveillance footage of the parking zone on the time, which reveals the ballots within the County courier car 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 parking zone reveals one particular person exit the car after which return with Edina’s poll switch circumstances on a dolly. These circumstances had been loaded into the van with those that had been…
— Metropolis of Edina, MN (@EdinaMN) October 19, 2024
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However regardless of the reassurance from officers, the injury was already completed.
Within the court docket of public opinion, the incident raised severe crimson flags concerning the safety of absentee ballots in Edina.
Hennepin County officers have since promised to evaluate 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 parking zone on the time, which reveals the ballots within the County courier car weren’t tampered with whereas left unattended: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ANhE9H7dD_g…
October 18, 2024 (Minneapolis) – A Hennepin County courier car was photographed on October 18 at Edina Metropolis Corridor throughout a poll switch pick-up.
The {photograph} confirmed the car’s rear door ajar with poll switch circumstances 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 circumstances.
That is completed by evaluating the ballots obtained from the courier with the report 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.
Workers have inspected particular person ballots and decided that absentee poll envelopes throughout the circumstances had been obtained in sealed situation as effectively. This inspection can also be a routine election integrity course of.
Poll switch protocols be certain 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 workers and distributors.
An incident like this underscores the worth of robust chain-of-custody processes, in order that danger may be addressed and integrity may be verified.”