The League of Women Voters is testing election processes. You can, too.

From testing voting equipment to reviewing election results, nonpartisan League of Women Voters volunteers are observing firsthand how Minnesota’s election safeguards work.

Voters need more than assurances. They need to know safeguards are in place, procedures can be observed, and problems can be identified and corrected. That’s why the League of Women Voters of Minnesota is working across the state to make election administration more transparent and accessible.

Since 1920, the League has worked to empower voters and defend democracy. Today, more than 3,300 members across 36 local Leagues help Minnesotans participate in our democracy. This election season, volunteers are observing, documenting and reporting on the processes that help ensure votes are counted accurately.

Volunteers are documenting how Minnesota’s election safeguards work — from pre-election equipment testing to post-election reviews — and sharing what they learn with their communities.

Before voting begins, the equipment is tested

Before every election, local officials conduct public accuracy tests to demonstrate that voting equipment accurately counts ballots with known results.

In 2026, the League organized a statewide effort to expand public observation. More than 200 trained volunteers observed tests across Minnesota, watching officials run ballots through tabulators and comparing the results with expected totals.

One League volunteer described the experience: “The results matched the ballots perfectly in every case, and the officials were happy to answer any and all questions about the process.”

These observations let community members see equipment testing firsthand, ask questions and learn how officials verify that voting equipment works as intended.

After Election Day, Minnesota checks the results

Minnesota conducts a post-election review after every statewide election. During these reviews, county canvassing boards randomly select precincts where officials hand-count ballots and compare the results with voting equipment totals.

In 2024, the League trained 160 nonpartisan observers who watched post-election reviews in 43 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. More than 250 people signed up for training, demonstrating strong public interest in seeing how election results are verified. League observers reported that officials conducted reviews fairly and followed state law and guidance from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.

The League is continuing this work in 2026, training and coordinating more than 200 nonpartisan observers to watch post-election reviews across Minnesota, Nov. 12–17.

Oversight also helps identify and address errors. The League’s reporting on election certification in Scott and Sherburne counties in 2024 documented administrative errors that led to recounts, court review and subsequent legislative changes. These cases illustrate why established procedures matter: Concerns can be examined, errors addressed and improvements made.

Getting the facts matters

Through its “Trusted Elections: Stronger Together” tour, the League has partnered with the Reformer, the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, and local election officials to host discussions in five Minnesota cities about election security, safeguards and common questions about how our elections work. Topics included voter registration, vouching, noncitizen voting, voting equipment and post-election reviews. Watch a recording of the St. Paul event here.

Melanie Hazelip of the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office has emphasized the seriousness of election fraud: “When you commit voter fraud you are committing a felony offense, which is punishable by $5,000, 10 years in prison and permanent deportation”.

Kari Tyson, city clerk in Detroit Lakes, has similarly stressed the importance of election rules and safeguards, noting that violations can be detected through subsequent checks and may result in criminal charges.

In 2024, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Performance Index ranked Minnesota first among states for overall election performance. The index evaluates election administration across multiple measures.

As Hazelip put it, “Not only are we number one in voter turnout, but we do election administration really well.”

See for yourself. Make your voice heard.

The best way to build trust in our elections is to let people see how they work. When Minnesotans can observe election safeguards firsthand and get reliable information about the process, they can distinguish facts from misinformation. The League’s trained volunteers are helping make election transparency real by showing people not just that safeguards exist, but how they work.

Explore the process, ask questions and seek reliable information. Every eligible voter should have the information they need to participate with confidence.

Visit VOTE411.org for nonpartisan information about candidates and elections. To learn more about the League of Women Voters of Minnesota or find a local League, visit LWVMN.org.