An election judge in Minnesota has been charged for allegedly allowing unregistered voters to cast their ballots in the upcoming 2024 election. Timothy Michael Scouton, who was the head election judge for Badoura Township in Hubbard County, faces two felony charges: one for accepting a vote from an unregistered voter and another for neglecting his duty as an election official.
Authorities became aware of the situation after an election auditor reported that 11 individuals were able to vote without completing the required registration forms needed to verify their identity. Despite Scouton having completed his training as an election judge just a few months prior, he reportedly instructed other judges not to follow proper registration procedures.
A fellow judge who worked alongside Scouton during the election stated that he told her not to use the correct registration forms. Another judge indicated that she was not informed about the required paperwork and was directed by Scouton to have voters sign a different document instead.
Scouton was taken into custody by the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, but he did not provide a statement regarding the charges. The Minnesota Secretary of State emphasized the seriousness of these allegations, stating that election judges must adhere to the law in order to maintain public trust. The statement highlighted that Minnesota relies heavily on the integrity and dedication of its election officials to ensure fair elections.
The legislative and legal repercussions of Scouton’s actions could have significant implications for the integrity of the electoral process in Minnesota.
