Minneapolis, MN - On October 24, 2024 morning, former MN SOS Mary Kiffmeyer, MN GOP Chairman David Hann, Senator Mark Koran, and Representative Paul Torkelson held a press conference to point out Simon’s most recent failure to ensure election laws are faithfully executed and to encourage Minnesotans to vote on November 5th.

Kiffmeyer challenged Simon to secure all ballots equally under the law: “This should never, ever happen. And if those same…. methodologies that were there on election day which require that two election judges from different political parties escort and are with those ballots and have chain of custody, that would have been a protection for those votes and those ballots. I’m calling on the Secretary of State to immediately change his opinion -not just because it’s the legislatively correct interpretation, but because it’s just plain common sense.”

Koran also called on Simon to step up: “We’ve been splicing hairs… Every single location that collects a ballot, touches a ballot, opens an envelope, counts a ballot should be treated as a polling location… should take common sense practices to ensure that everybody has great faith in our elections. We’re calling on Secretary Simon to take the lead. ”

Torkelson stressed the importance of voting for Minnesotans: “Minnesota has great pride in its voter turnout. But that turnout is enhanced only when we have voter and ballot integrity. These recent lapses in the way ballots are handled and other issues surrounding our elections reduce voter confidence. I’m here to encourage voters to make sure they show up despite any doubts they have and the integrity of the system.”

“It is of the utmost importance that Minnesota voters feel confident that their votes are secure and counted, regardless of when they vote,” said Hann. “It’s important that all citizens exercise their right to vote, and it’s important that Simon does a better job of ensuring that the process is conducted according to law.”

Hann ended by adding, “These are not partisan interests. Republicans and Democrats alike believe the election process should be conducted according to law.”

Unfortunately, Simon has a history of interpreting election laws too generally. In 2020, a federal court struck down his interpretation of the laws that regulated the counting of ballots. The MN GOP is also currently legally challenging Hennepin County because the County failed to contact Republican election judges.

Senator Mark Koran serves as the Minority Member on the Senate Elections Committee, and Representative Paul Torkelson serves as the Republican Lead on the House Elections, Policy, and Finance Committee.