WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) sent a letter to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon regarding the integrity of Minnesota’s election system and concerns about the potential for individuals who are not legally eligible to vote, including those unlawfully present in the United States, to register to vote or cast ballots in Minnesota elections. The letter highlights vulnerabilities within Minnesota’s “Driver’s License for All” law and Secretary Simon’s refusal to turn over voter rolls to the Department of Justice.
“Election security is national security, and Minnesotans deserve to know that every reasonable measure possible is taken to protect the rights of eligible voters,” said Rep. Finstad. “I sent a letter to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon expressing my concerns about our state’s election system and requested more information on what Secretary Simon and his office are doing to ensure secure, transparent, and trusted elections in Minnesota.”
Background:
- Minnesota’s “Driver’s License for All” law allows all Minnesota residents to obtain a standard Class D driver’s license or identification (ID) card, regardless of immigration status. Additionally, Automatic Voter Registration was signed into law in Minnesota in 2023, which allows Minnesotans to register to vote or update their voter registration when they apply for or renew their Minnesota driver’s license or ID Card.
- In April of 2026, a non-citizen in Minnesota was charged with perjury and a voting violation for voting in the 2024 election. According to investigators, the man received a voter registration notice from the State of Minnesota that was likely triggered when he obtained his driver’s license, demonstrating the clear possibility for automatic voter registration errors to occur in Minnesota.
- On July 21, 2026, it was reported that more than 6,000 non-citizens in New Jersey were erroneously registered to vote while obtaining New Jersey driver’s licenses.
- In January of 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requested Minnesota hand over records related to the state’s voter registration practices, pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1960. To date, even with a suit brought forth by the DOJ, Simon has refused to comply with the DOJ’s request.
