Follow-Up Intelligence Briefing: Establishing County-Level Election Integrity Cells in Minnesota
From: The Parrish for Governor Intelligence Cell
Date: January 6, 2026
To: All Minnesotans, with Special Emphasis on County Leaders, Boards, Auditors, and Election Officials
As Phillip C. Parrish, a retired Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy with 21 years of experience in intelligence, counterterrorism, and foreign policy analysis, and as a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, I present this follow-up briefing on behalf of my campaign’s intelligence cell. Building on our January 6, 2026, briefing, this document focuses on the establishment of Election Integrity Cells in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties. It draws from publicly available records, official reports, legislative histories, and verified analyses to expose incremental actions by Secretary of State Steve Simon and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party that have undermined internal controls, including those related to certified election judges. It also details compromises in early voting, permanent absentee voting, and traditional absentee voting systems, while emphasizing the urgent need to restore accountability at the county and precinct levels. Finally, it outlines a substantive model for these cells, immediate actions required, and how a Parrish administration would institutionalize these reforms to protect all Minnesotans. As a man of faith committed to truth and justice, I urge county leaders to act decisively in defense of our constitutional republic and the rule of law.
Incremental Actions by Secretary Simon and the DFL to Undermine Internal Controls and Certified Election Judges
Over the past 15 years, under DFL leadership and Secretary Simon’s tenure since 2015, Minnesota’s election laws have undergone incremental changes that prioritize expanded access at the expense of robust internal controls. These changes have diluted the role of certified election judges—nonpartisan or party-balanced officials trained and appointed to oversee polling places, verify voter eligibility, and ensure procedural integrity—by broadening eligibility, reducing oversight requirements, and resisting transparency measures that could strengthen their authority.
Substantive examples include:
• Expansion of Election Judge Eligibility and Reduced Party Balance Requirements: In 2013, under DFL-controlled legislature, Minnesota Statutes section 204B.19 was amended to allow high school students (aged 16-17) to serve as trainee election judges, and further changes in 2017 and 2023 under the Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) broadened eligibility to include non-citizens with work authorization for certain roles, while easing certification processes. These reforms, while aimed at increasing participation, have circumvented traditional controls by allowing less experienced individuals to handle sensitive tasks without the same level of partisan balance or rigorous training previously required. Certified election judges, historically drawn from major political parties to ensure neutrality, have seen their influence diluted as the DFL pushed for “inclusive” staffing that prioritizes volume over vetted expertise.
• Resistance to Federal Oversight and Data Transparency: Secretary Simon has repeatedly moved to dismiss federal lawsuits and Department of Justice (DOJ) demands for voter records, describing them as “fishing expeditions.” In 2025, amid DOJ scrutiny under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA), Simon sought to block access to same-day registration data, which election judges rely on for real-time verification. This resistance undermines judges’ ability to cross-check rolls, effectively circumventing internal controls designed to prevent ineligible voting.
• 2024 Elections Omnibus Bill (HF4772/SF5502): Signed into law on May 17, 2024, this DFL-backed legislation made subtle adjustments to election administration, including updates to voter registration forms and online absentee applications, but notably omitted enhancements to election judge training or certification standards despite calls for them. Instead, it focused on expanding access, such as allowing additional proof of residence for students, which places greater burden on judges without additional tools or authority to verify claims.
• Historical Precedent of Dilution: These changes build on earlier DFL reforms, such as the 2020 Carson v. Simon ruling, where federal courts upheld extensions for absentee ballot receipt deadlines, overriding state law and reducing judges’ role in enforcing strict timelines. Collectively, these incremental steps have shifted power from certified, balanced election judges to centralized administrative discretion, creating vulnerabilities to fraud and error.
These actions mirror patterns in other DFL-led initiatives, such as weakened verification in welfare programs, which I exposed as a whistleblower.
Compromises in Early Voting, Permanent Absentee, and Legitimate Absentee Voting
Minnesota’s early voting (beginning 46 days before Election Day), permanent absentee (automatic mailing to opted-in voters), and traditional absentee systems have been compromised through lax verification, inadequate chain-of-custody, and insufficient safeguards, leading to documented vulnerabilities and fraud cases.
• Early Voting Vulnerabilities: Without real-time citizenship checks or mandatory identification in many cases, early voting amplifies risks from inflated voter rolls. In 2024, over 150,000 same-day registrations occurred during early periods, with vouching allowing one voter to attest for up to eight others without proof. This has led to concerns over ineligible participation, as highlighted in DOJ investigations.
• Permanent and Traditional Absentee Compromises: Permanent absentee lists automatically send ballots without annual verification, increasing risks of ballots going to deceased or relocated individuals. Audits post-2024 revealed shredded ballots, missing envelopes (e.g., 79 in Scott County due to “human error”), and data alterations after deadlines. Fraud cases include a 2024 felony charge for using a deceased mother’s absentee ballot and 2022 instances of unlawful possession. Public polls show deep partisan splits, with 2 in 5 Minnesotans believing mail-in ballots are vulnerable to fraud. Chain-of-custody lapses, as noted in 2025 legislative discussions, allow for tampering.
• Broader Risks: Non-citizens obtaining driver’s licenses feed into Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), potentially routing ineligible ballots through absentee channels. Declassified reports note foreign influence ties, exploiting these systems.
These compromises erode trust, as evidenced by low-turnout counties and fraud investigations under former Governor Walz.
Restoring County- and Precinct-Level Accountability
Centralized control under the Secretary of State’s office has marginalized local oversight, allowing vulnerabilities to persist. Restoring accountability at the county (auditors managing rolls) and precinct (judges enforcing rules) levels is essential to detect and prevent fraud in real-time, ensuring decisions reflect community standards rather than state mandates. Historical precedents, such as pre-2013 balanced judge requirements, demonstrate that local empowerment reduces errors and builds public confidence.
Model for 87 County Election Integrity Cells: Substance and Precedents
Drawing from successful models in other states, such as Florida’s Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS) established in 2022 and Ohio’s proposed Election Integrity Division, we propose a standardized yet adaptable model for Minnesota’s 87 counties. These precedents show that dedicated units enhance integrity without overburdening resources, leading to convictions and improved processes.
Structure:
• Each cell would be housed within the county auditor’s office, led by a director appointed by the county board (bipartisan where possible), with 4-10 staff including investigators, auditors, and legal advisors, scaled by county size.
• Include citizen oversight committees with representatives from major parties, independents, and community groups for transparency.
• Budget: Initial state funding via grants, supplemented locally; similar to Florida’s 16 positions with a voter fraud hotline.
Duties:
• Conduct pre-election audits of voter rolls using SSDI and USPS NCOA databases.
• Investigate complaints of irregularities, fraud, or suppression via a county hotline.
• Provide training for certified election judges on verification and chain-of-custody.
• Monitor early, absentee, and Election Day processes; refer cases to DOJ or state AG.
• Issue annual public reports on activities, mirroring Florida’s 1,479 referrals in 2023 leading to convictions.
Precedents:
• Florida’s OECS investigated 986 cases in 2022, focusing on voter registration and ballot handling, resulting in 13 convictions by 2023.
• Ohio’s unit, though nascent, emphasizes independent inquiries and referrals, uncovering irregular registrations.
• National models from the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard highlight states with local teams achieving higher security ratings.
This model ensures ironclad controls while adapting to Minnesota’s decentralized system.
Immediate Actions Required
• County Boards: By February 1, 2026, convene to establish cells, appoint directors, and conduct initial roll audits.
• State Officials: Secretary Simon must release all withheld voter data to counties for verification.
• Federal Support: Urge DOJ intervention to enforce NVRA compliance.
• Citizens: Report concerns to county auditors and support petitions for reforms.
Permanent Changes Under a Parrish Administration
As Governor, I will:
• Enact legislation mandating these cells statewide, with annual funding and independent audits.
• Require proof of citizenship for all registrations, eliminate vouching without ID, and limit absentee to verified requests.
• Strengthen election judge certification with mandatory bipartisan balance and enhanced training.
• Implement real-time digital chain-of-custody tracking for all ballots.
• Penalize noncompliance with fines and removals, ensuring protections align with federal standards.
Minnesotans, especially county leaders, the time for action is now. Contact your boards, visit parrish4mn.com, or follow @phillipcparrish on X to join this effort. Together, we will safeguard our elections and uphold the principles of our constitutional republic for generations. God bless Minnesota.
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