Minneapolis Dems: Election Was Rigged But Let's Keep Results

The Minneapolis Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party is seeking to restore the endorsement of DFL candidate Omar Fateh, despite a state investigation that found significant irregularities in the voting process at the party's July convention. Fateh, a member of the Democrat Socialists of America (DSA), is challenging incumbent DFL Mayor Jacob Frey, who finished second in the controversial endorsement process, according to KSTP Television.

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The Minnesota DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee (CBRC) investigated the local convention and identified what it described as "substantial failures" in the voting process. The investigation revealed that 176 votes were undercounted in the mayoral race, and one candidate was mistakenly eliminated from consideration. Additionally, the digital spreadsheet used for vote counting was left unsecured, and the computer tallying results malfunctioned, requiring a switch to a different computer mid-process. At one point, the convention members opted to change their voting method from digital to a “show of badges.”

Despite these breaches in election integrity, the Minneapolis DFL is urging the state DFL to overlook the findings of its own investigation and reinstate Fateh's endorsement. The state DFL has since barred the Minneapolis DFL from conducting another mayoral endorsement convention for the 2025 election and has placed the local party on probation for two years. The Minneapolis DFL must now demonstrate that it can adhere to the “standard DFL principles and practices” before regaining full privileges.

The Federalist reached out to the state DFL for comment regarding the possibility of reinstating the local party’s endorsement but did not receive a response.

This situation extends beyond mere internal party disputes. The DFL endorsement carries significant weight in Minneapolis, where the party dominates local politics. Candidates who secure the DFL endorsement typically have a strong advantage in the general election, and it is common for those who do not receive the endorsement to withdraw from the race. This dynamic gives a small group of DFL delegates considerable influence over the electoral process, often overshadowing the broader electorate's voice in the fall general election.

In a move to level the playing field, the state DFL instructed the Minneapolis DFL to grant all five mayoral candidates access to the voter rolls, a privilege typically reserved for the endorsed candidate.

Critics argue that if the Minneapolis DFL fails to recognize the numerous anomalies that compromised the integrity of the endorsement convention, it should not be entrusted with future elections. The party's credibility has been called into question, and many believe it should be held accountable for its handling of the endorsement process.

The request by the Minneapolis DFL to be absolved of the consequences of its flawed election process raises concerns about the integrity of the party and its ability to conduct fair elections. Observers suggest that allowing the public to decide among the five candidates, rather than relying on a party endorsement, would be a more democratic approach to the upcoming mayoral race.