MN Supreme Court Hearing on Party Balanced Election Judges in Early Voting Locations

| What Happened to Party Balance in Our Election System? |

Early voting is already underway in Minnesota – and with it comes an important legal battle over bipartisan election oversight.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in Minnesota Voters Alliance v. City of Minneapolis (Case No. A26-0997) for:

Tuesday, August 4, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Minnesota State Capitol, 2nd Floor

Represented by the Upper Midwest Law Center, the Minnesota Voters Alliance and Republican Election Judge Diane Napper are challenging Minneapolis’ failure to appoint party-balanced election judges at its early voting locations.

Data requests showed Minneapolis appointed no election judges to its 14 early voting sites during the 2024 election. Our petition argues Minnesota law requires party-balanced election judges for critical duties including voter eligibility challenges, election-day registration by vouching, ballot-marking assistance, and curbside voting.

With more than 500,000 Minnesotans voting during the last 18-day early voting period, ensuring bipartisan election administration has never been more important.

Click here to read the petition filed in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Read our Reply Brief here.

Attend in Person or Watch Live

The hearing is open to the public. Seating in the courtroom is limited (about 36 seats), with overflow viewing available.

Watch live at: https://mncourts.gov/supremecourt (select “Attending/Viewing Oral Arguments” about 30 minutes before the hearing).

Parking information: https://mn.gov/admin/citizen/buildings-grounds/parking/

Join Us After the Hearing

Following oral arguments, please join us for lunch at Joseph’s Grill (140 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul) from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:00.

Hear remarks from UMLC attorneys Doug Seaton and Nicholas Nelson, along with Rep. Pam Altendorf, Vice Chair of the House Elections Committee.

A $19 suggested donation helps cover the buffet. Cash bar available.
Please RSVP: info@mnvoters.org