MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Secretary of State Says ICE and Border Patrol Agents Will Not Be Primary-Election Observers

ST. PAUL, MN (July 24, 2026). Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal election observers expected during the state’s August 11 primary will not be Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents.

Simon said any federal observers would most likely be attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The clarification follows public concern about the possible presence of federal personnel at Minnesota polling places and the effect that immigration-enforcement officers could have on voters, particularly in communities with large immigrant populations.

Federal election monitoring is generally conducted through the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, which may send attorneys and other authorized personnel to observe compliance with federal voting-rights laws.

Federal observers have limited responsibilities

Election observers do not administer Minnesota elections. Local election officials remain responsible for operating polling places, assisting voters, maintaining election records and counting ballots.

Federal monitors may observe conditions at selected polling locations and evaluate compliance with federal protections governing voting access and discrimination.

Simon’s statement distinguishes that work from immigration enforcement. It means voters should not expect ICE or Customs and Border Protection agents to be stationed inside polling places as election observers.

The clarification is particularly consequential for Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Fridley and other Minnesota communities with substantial immigrant and refugee populations.

Minnesota primary scheduled for August 11

Minnesota’s primary election will be held Tuesday, August 11.

The primary will determine which candidates advance to the November general election in federal, state and local contests. Eligible voters may participate regardless of whether they are formally registered with a political party, although they must vote within only one party’s column on the partisan portion of the ballot.

Minnesota also permits eligible residents to register at their polling place on Election Day when they provide an approved form of identification or proof of residence.

Information about registration, absentee voting, polling locations and sample ballots is available through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s official election website.

Voters should rely on information from state and local election authorities and report suspected intimidation, interference or misinformation to election officials.

News Sources

CBS Minnesota 

Minnesota Secretary of State, Elections and Voting 

Minnesota voter-registration information

Minnesota polling-place finder

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