Minnesota DFL Revokes Endorsement of Mayoral Candidate After Voting Irregularities

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party has revoked the endorsement of mayoral candidate Omar Fateh following significant irregularities in the voting process during the Minneapolis DFL’s July 19 endorsement convention. The party’s Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee (CBRC) found “substantial failures” in how the votes were counted, leading to the decision.

The convention, held at the Minneapolis Target Center, was intended to endorse candidates for the mayoral race and park board districts. Fateh, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), was among five candidates vying for the endorsement. Incumbent mayor Jacob Frey, who faced criticism for his handling of the George Floyd protests in 2020, finished second in the voting.

Challenges to the convention’s results emerged shortly after, with Frey himself among those questioning the validity of the process. An August 17 hearing by the state DFL revealed multiple rule violations, including an unsecured master check-in sheet that allowed for potential manipulation of voter ID numbers.

The investigation highlighted a significant undercount of 176 votes in the mayoral race. Initially, 578 votes were reported, but a reconciliation process later revealed that 754 ballots had been cast. Additionally, one candidate was improperly removed from the ballot during the second round of voting.

The CBRC’s report stated, “The electronic voting system utilized by the Minneapolis DFL was substantially flawed,” citing issues with a digital credentials spreadsheet and malfunctioning vote tabulation formulas. The report detailed how the voting process was disrupted when a delegate noted discrepancies in the vote count, but a motion to redo the vote was not seconded.

In response to the findings, the state DFL has implemented several measures. The Minneapolis DFL is now barred from conducting another mayoral endorsement convention in 2025 and cannot endorse a candidate for mayor through its central or executive committees. Furthermore, the Minneapolis DFL has been placed on probation for two years, during which it must demonstrate compliance with the state party’s directives.

“The DFL must ensure that all future conventions adhere to established standards to maintain the integrity of our electoral processes,” said a spokesperson for the state DFL.

The CBRC also recommended that any future use of electronic voting systems by DFL units require prior review and approval from the state party. This recommendation aims to prevent similar issues in upcoming elections.

The fallout from the convention raises questions about the effectiveness of the DFL’s endorsement process in Minneapolis, where the party’s backing is often crucial for candidates in both the primary and general elections. Critics argue that the mishaps could undermine voter confidence in the party’s ability to manage electoral processes.

As the DFL navigates these challenges, the implications for the upcoming 2025 mayoral race remain uncertain. The party’s decision to revoke Fateh’s endorsement may open the field for other candidates, including Frey, who is expected to remain a prominent figure in the race.