A growing fraud scandal in Minnesota is raising alarms about weaknesses across government systems, including how elections are run. Republican election attorney Justin Riemer says the case should serve as an early warning for states nationwide.
Fraud Case Raises Broader Red Flags
Riemer described the Minnesota fraud case as a “canary in the coal mine,” warning that similar schemes could spread into other public systems. According to him, election administration is not immune to the same failures now under investigation.
He leads Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections, known as RITE, a nonprofit that defends state election laws in court. Riemer said his group is preparing to examine Minnesota’s election system to see whether it faces risks similar to those exposed during large COVID-era fraud schemes.
Focus on Non-Citizen Registration Risks
Riemer believes Minnesota offers an early look at problems that could grow ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In particular, he pointed to concerns around non-citizen voter registration and weak safeguards.
He said some states have created pathways that allow non-citizens to be registered by mistake. As an example, he cited Alaska, where two non-citizens were added to voter rolls through automatic DMV registration. He stressed that these individuals did nothing wrong, but the system failed to apply proper checks.
Courts Become the Main Battleground
According to Riemer, many of today’s election fights are unfolding in courtrooms. These cases often involve ballot deadlines, voter roll maintenance, and proof of citizenship rules.
He noted that the Supreme Court is reviewing disputes over whether states can count ballots that arrive after Election Day. At the same time, other cases challenge state efforts to remove non-citizens from voter rolls or require documentation to prove citizenship.
As a result, Riemer expects court rulings to shape election rules more than legislation in the coming years.
Legal Pushback and Advocacy Groups
Riemer argued that Democratic-aligned legal groups aggressively challenge election integrity laws. He said these groups are well funded and quick to sue states that tighten election rules.
According to him, these lawsuits often claim voter suppression. However, he said they struggle to prove that argument in court. Riemer described many of these cases as costly and unnecessary.
RITE points to recent legal victories as proof of progress. These include rulings in Maryland, Colorado, and Pennsylvania that upheld voter roll transparency and mail-in ballot verification rules.
Federal Role and Minnesota Fallout
Riemer credited the Trump administration for expanding state access to federal databases that help verify voter citizenship. He said these tools allow election officials to confirm eligibility more accurately.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota fraud case continues to unfold. Investigators estimate that losses from state-administered programs could exceed $9 billion. The case has also coincided with increased federal law enforcement activity in the Twin Cities, which has sparked protests and deadly violence.
