Response to Allegations of Voter Fraud in Minn. House DFL Primary Race

Absentee voting kicked-off Friday morning in a hotly contested democratic primary race for the state house between incumbent Phyllis Kahn and Mohamud Noor.

 

According to voter registration records from the Secretary of State’s office, more than 140 people used 419 Cedar Avenue South in Minneapolis as their home address when they registered to vote.

 

The address is where many Somali-Americans from all across the state have been getting their mail. No one lives at the location.

 

Under state law, you must live in the precinct where you’re voting.

 

Noor recruited many Somali-Americans to register and vote.

 

Brian Rice, attorney for the Phyllis Kahn Volunteer Committee, claims there’s voter fraud. Noor’s committee has responded.

 

In a statement we received Saturday, Noor said:

 

I categorically deny any assertion of wrongdoing on the part of my campaign, and I welcome an investigation into the baseless allegations raised by Brian Rice. Allegations of fraud are serious and must be investigated thoroughly. My campaign is committed to a transparent and inclusive process for all voters and I am extremely proud of the work done by all of my campaign’s volunteers to further the goal of a free, fair, and safe election for everyone in the district. My campaign has focused on voter turnout and education; because of the high rate of participation by East Africans in elections, we have carried out no voter registration campaigns, contrary to the implications of Mr. Rice.

 

Hennepin County election officials are looking into it, and will have a response in a few days.