09/30/2026
This is the second in our series reviewing Minnesota's statewide races.
After examining the record and the candidates, Minnesota Indivisible Alliance endorses Steve Simon for Secretary of State.
We reached that conclusion by asking a simple question: What problem are we trying to solve?
The central argument for replacing Steve Simon is that Minnesota's election system needs major reform. Challenger Tad Jude has called for voter photo ID requirements, changes to voter registration procedures, and other election-related reforms intended to restore public confidence.
That's a serious claim. But serious claims require evidence.
When we looked at the evidence, we found something remarkable:
Minnesota doesn't have a struggling election system.
It has one of the best election systems in America.
In April 2026, the nonpartisan MIT Election Data & Science Lab ranked Minnesota #1 in the nation on its Elections Performance Index based on the 2024 election. The index evaluates voter registration, turnout, election administration, voter information, mail-ballot systems, and in-person voting performance.
This wasn't a fluke. Minnesota has consistently ranked among the nation's top-performing election systems, combining high voter participation with effective administration and accessible voting.
In July 2026, Minnesota's Office of the Legislative Auditor reviewed the state's voter-registration processes. Auditors found counties correctly followed identity-verification procedures for 99.9% of new applicants and residency-verification procedures for 99%. They concluded that the Secretary of State's office had largely established adequate procedures for maintaining the statewide voter-registration system.
The audit identified areas for improvement, particularly at the county level. What it did not find was evidence of systemic failure.
The broader context matters too.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Minnesota seeking broad access to the state's voter-registration database. Minnesota refused to surrender sensitive voter information and defended voter privacy in court. In August 2026, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.
Minnesota also joined a coalition challenging key provisions of a 2025 Trump administration executive order related to elections. A federal court later permanently blocked those provisions.
So when faced with a choice of comply with Federal demands of ambiguous legality, or defend Minnesotans, Steve Simon chose Minnesota.
And Steve Simon has been the state's chief election official throughout that success.
Since taking office in 2015, Simon has overseen multiple statewide elections while helping maintain Minnesota's reputation as a national leader in election administration. Voters don't have to take that on faith. His record can be measured.
Independent researchers measured it.
State auditors measured it.
Federal courts examined it.
And the results point in the same direction.
Whether you agree with every decision Simon has made or not, one thing is difficult to dispute: When Minnesota's election system faced scrutiny, challenges, audits, and lawsuits, the system held up.
That's what voters should focus on in this race.
Every system can improve. Oversight should continue. Audits should continue. Reforms should always be considered when evidence supports them.
But major reforms require major justification.
We found no evidence of a problem large enough to justify the scale of changes being proposed.
Instead, we found a state with the nation's highest-ranked election system, a successful record of election administration, strong independent audits, and a Secretary of State who has played a central role in that success.
Elections are one of the few areas of government where performance can be measured.
By every credible measure available, Minnesota's election system is performing exceptionally well.
And Steve Simon deserves substantial credit for that success.
For Minnesota Indivisible Alliance, the choice is clear.
We proudly endorse Steve Simon for Secretary of State.
