Full Breakdown
Minnesota Lawmaker Raises Concerns Over Voter Roll Integrity
2/16/2026, 10:11:12 PM
Dispute Over Access to Voter Records
Minnesota state representative Pam Altendorf has raised alarms regarding the integrity of voter roll data in Hennepin County, the state's most populous county. Altendorf, who serves as vice chair of the Minnesota House Elections Committee, has expressed frustration over her inability to access active voter roll data. She stated, "Why is there such an effort to block us or any election integrity group to see this information?" Her concerns stem from a review of the state's voter rolls, which she claims contain significant inaccuracies.
Findings from Hennepin County
After submitting data requests to four counties, Altendorf received voter roll information from Hennepin County, while three other counties declined to comply. Upon reviewing the data, she identified nearly 3,000 active voter entries lacking essential identifying information, including birthdates, names, and addresses. Additionally, she noted the presence of potential duplicate records and voters listed as over 100 years old. However, it was clarified that the year 1900 is often used as a placeholder for individuals who registered before 1983 and did not provide their date of birth.
Official Responses and Context
A spokesperson for Hennepin County stated that they administer elections in accordance with state law and guidance from the Minnesota Secretary of State's office. They explained that "address verification is a routine reason a voter record may be flagged as challenged," particularly when registration confirmation postcards are returned as undeliverable. Altendorf's pursuit of voter roll data was partly inspired by the Department of Justice's efforts to obtain similar information from states nationwide, which Minnesota reportedly declined due to privacy concerns.
Criticism of State Officials
Altendorf has accused Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon of obstructing her access to voter roll information, asserting that he is "actively working to deny" her the ability to verify the accuracy of the records. This situation has sparked a broader debate about election integrity and the transparency of voter registration processes in Minnesota.
What's Next
As the controversy unfolds, Altendorf has indicated that if the state's voter rolls are not cleaned up, she may seek federal assistance to address what she describes as disenfranchisement of legal voters in Minnesota. The Minnesota Secretary of State's office has not yet provided a public response to these allegations.
Verbatim Quotes
- "Why is there such an effort to block us or any election integrity group to see this information?" — Pam Altendorf, Minnesota State Representative
- "If they're clean, that's great. And if not... we absolutely have to get federal help because this is disenfranchising every legal voter in Minnesota." — Pam Altendorf, Minnesota State Representative
- "Address verification is a routine reason a voter record may be flagged as challenged." — Hennepin County Spokesperson
