Officials in Edina City, Minnesota Faces Backlash After ‘County Courier Vehicle’ with Boxes of Ballots Left Unattended, Hatchback Conspicuously Open in Parking Lot

Trust in the election process took a serious hit after a disturbing photo surfaced on social media showing a vehicle, packed with absentee ballots, left wide open and unattended in a public parking lot outside Edina City Hall.

The official X account of Senate District 50 Republicans in Minnesota, representing citizens of Edina and Bloomington, shared the alarming image, sparking outrage among local residents and election watchdogs.

The incriminating photo shows boxes of ballots tied with blue and red straps sitting inside an unlocked vehicle with its hatchback fully open.

SD50MNGOP called out the incident, posting, “Do these ballots look secure to you? Photo outside Edina City Hall.”

“Witness watched as the driver left the vehicle to go inside to get more boxes, leaving the vehicle open and unattended,” SD50MNGOP added.

Do these ballots look secure to you? Photo outside Edina City Hall. @MNSteveSimon @GOPMNCD3 @MNCD5GOP @gop @EdinaMN @EdinaPatch @edinacityman @EdinaPolice @EdinaMag @lizcollin @AlphaNewsMN @Sd46G @SD50DFL @billglahn pic.twitter.com/SF03NMdpXL

— SD50MNGOP (@SD50MNGOP) October 18, 2024

The city of Edina quickly responded, claiming the vehicle belonged to a Hennepin County courier responsible for picking up absentee ballots from various cities.

According to Hennepin County Auditor Daniel Rogan, all the ballots transferred were accounted for and securely sealed before and after the transfer.

“The vehicle pictured is a Hennepin County courier that came to pick up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his vehicle are ballots that he picked up from other cities before coming to Edina,” according to the city’s communications officer, identified only as Jennifer.

“All transfer cases were received in sealed condition, and all expected ballots are accounted for by Hennepin County, according to Daniel Rogan, Hennepin County Auditor.”

The vehicle pictured is a Hennepin County courier that came to pick up Edina’s absentee ballots this morning. Inside his vehicle are ballots that he picked up from other cities before coming to Edina. All transfer cases were received in sealed condition, and all expected ballots…

— City of Edina, MN (@EdinaMN) October 18, 2024

State Representative Harry Niska was quick to voice his concern, stating, “This is extremely concerning,” echoing the sentiments of many who feel that the security of the ballots was compromised.

Another online commenter pointedly criticized the breach of protocol, stating, “You lost the chain of custody.”

Another demanded specifics: “Can you confirm the courier company, the number of drivers, and how you know those ballots are from other cities?”

The city provided further clarification, releasing surveillance footage from the parking lot, claiming it showed the ballots were not tampered with while left unattended.

“This was a Hennepin County courier. I am not aware of the company name. The surveillance footage from the parking lot shows one person exit the vehicle and then return with Edina’s ballot transfer cases on a dolly,” the city said.

“Those cases were loaded into the van with the ones that were photographed. The City has released surveillance footage of the parking lot at the time, which shows the ballots in the County courier vehicle were not tampered with while left unattended…”

This was a Hennepin County courier. I am not aware of the company name. The surveillance footage from the parking lot shows one person exit the vehicle and then return with Edina’s ballot transfer cases on a dolly. Those cases were loaded into the van with the ones that were…

— City of Edina, MN (@EdinaMN) October 19, 2024

WATCH:

But despite the reassurance from officials, the damage was already done.

In the court of public opinion, the incident raised serious red flags about the security of absentee ballots in Edina.

Hennepin County officials have since promised to review their protocols and tighten security measures.

Read the county officials full statement:

Hennepin County issued the following statement about a ballot transfer pick-up at Edina City Hall Oct. 18.

The City has released surveillance footage of the parking lot at the time, which shows the ballots in the County courier vehicle were not tampered with while left unattended: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ANhE9H7dD_g…

October 18, 2024 (Minneapolis) – A Hennepin County courier vehicle was photographed on October 18 at Edina City Hall during a ballot transfer pick-up.

The photograph showed the vehicle’s rear door ajar with ballot transfer cases inside.

The protocol for transporting ballots is that they are to be secured at all times and Hennepin County has alerted its courier of this incident.

Hennepin County has reviewed the incident and determined that all expected ballots have been accounted for and found no evidence of tampering with sealed transfer cases.

This is done by comparing the ballots received from the courier with the record in the Statewide Voter Registration System for all absentee ballots accepted by cities.

The comparison demonstrated a 100% match, and this step is routine in the ballot integrity process, occurring with every transfer.

Staff have inspected individual ballots and determined that absentee ballot envelopes within the cases were received in sealed condition as well. This inspection is also a routine election integrity process.

Ballot transfer protocols ensure that every individual absentee ballot is tracked from issuance to acceptance, ensuring the integrity of absentee process, whether ballots are cast in-person or by mail.

Hennepin County Auditor Daniel Rogan: “Election security is of utmost importance, and Hennepin County will reinforce its transfer protocols with all county staff and vendors.

An incident like this underscores the value of strong chain-of-custody processes, so that risk can be addressed and integrity can be verified.”