Secretary of State addresses fears of ICE presence at Minnesota polling places

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (left), Elections Director Paul Linnell (Center) and Security Navigator Bill Ekblad (right) spoke during a June 25 press conference at the state capitol outlining voting procedures, election security measures and state protections ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Early voting has started. Photo: Becca Gilbuena

As early voting gets underway in Minnesota, Secretary of State Steve Simon is reassuring voters that polling places will remain safe, neutral spaces amid growing concerns about the possibility of federal immigration enforcement at or near voting locations.

During a June 25 press conference marking the start of the state's early voting period, Simon said while traveling across the state he is frequently asked about ICE's possible presence at polling locations.

"Over the last six months, this has been the number one concern that people share with me," Simon said. "They ask me, 'Are we going to see ICE at the polling place? Are we going to see Border Patrol or federalized National Guard?'"

Simon said his office is preparing for a wide range of election-related scenarios, but said Minnesota law already provides protections designed to keep polling places free from intimidation.

"We have an all-hazards approach in our office when it comes to planning for elections," he said. "We have to plan for the bomb threat. We have to plan for the power outage. We have to plan for the early onset blizzard – I would put this in that category. I'm not here to be an oddsmaker about whether that will or won't happen, but we have to plan for it."

Simon said state law generally prohibits law enforcement from being stationed at polling places. Officers may only be called if election judges determine a response is necessary.

"What I'm saying is this law applies to all levels of law enforcement – local, state and federal," Simon said. "Election judges can always call someone in in response to something. But you can't simply station law enforcement there in advance."

Simon also reminded voters that Minnesota offers multiple ways to cast a ballot, including absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting, giving people alternatives if they are uncomfortable voting on Election Day.

"You don't have to go to a polling place at all," he said. "You can vote from home. You can vote from your kitchen table. You don't have to run the gauntlet of anyone anywhere."

Bill Ekblad, election security navigator for the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, says Minnesota is preparing for "any and every scenario" to ensure polling places remain safe and secure amid concerns about potential federal interference during the upcoming election. Photo: Becca Gilbuena

Election Security Navigator Bill Ekblad said the Secretary of State's office continues to prepare local election officials for both physical and cyber threats. He acknowledged federal support has changed in recent years, but said the office remains committed to ensuring elections remain secure and accessible.

"Our expectation is that election offices and polling places will continue to be, as they always have been, calm, neutral locations where Minnesotans feel safe and comfortable as they exercise their right to vote," Ekblad said.

Early voting for Minnesota's Aug. 11 primary began June 26. To register to vote, view a sample ballot, find a polling location and track absentee ballots go to mnvotes.gov.