Election chiefs use quiet year to prepare for expected storm in 2020

Despite expected low turnout this election, the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office said Tuesday that the procedures followed were the same as those planned for the big-ticket ballots in 2020.

Spokesman Peter Bartz-Gallagher said the most notable metro race was St. Paul's question on trash collection.

"I think the common wisdom has been that that has been driving a lot of turnout there," he said.

Kelly Fenton, a former Republican legislator from Woodbury who plans to run again next year, posted video and photos of a moving truck driving through Woodbury with the back end open and what appeared to be election signs and boxes.

"Does this look like secure voting equipment to you?" she posted with #VoterFraud.

Washington County officials quickly responded. "Rest assured that ballots, rosters and tabulators were not in this truck," they tweeted. Washington County election chief Jennifer Wagenius said she reached out to Fenton, who later tweeted she was "assured that our election integrity has not been compromised."

Bartz-Gallagher said Tuesday's election was handled like any other: "All the same checks for voter eligibility and security."

He acknowledged late Tuesday some problems with loading election results on the Secretary of State's website, due to connectivity issues. He said there was no evidence to suggest hacking was involved.

Paul Linnell, elections manager in Anoka County, said Tuesday was a steady day at the polls, much calmer than what's expected next year.

"It's been a good opportunity to get new staff on board that will be here next year to get familiar with the process and get ready for a busy 2020," he said.

David Triplett, elections manager in Ramsey County, said the county first deployed five early voting locations during the last off-year election. This year they expanded to eight, he said, and they will bump that up to nine next year. "We're preparing for a very busy election year," he said.

Kim Hyatt • 612-673-4751