Scott County residents urge third‑party audit after missing ballots and duplicate records in close House race

Dozens of residents pressed the Scott County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 for a third‑party audit after what they described as missing ballots and duplicate voter histories in the Nov. 5, 2024 election for House District 54A.

The public comment period included repeated calls that the board investigate the county election process and consider an independent audit, with several speakers saying the scale of reported problems — including “20 missing ballots” and roughly “30 duplicate” voter records — was large enough to affect the outcome of a very close race. Natalie Barnes, a Prior Lake resident, said, “A third party post election audit would help reveal and give a pathway to correct Scott County election processes benefiting not only our county but the entire State of Minnesota.”

The push for an audit grew out of several specific complaints brought during and after the canvass of the 54A race. Speakers cited a reported 14‑vote margin in the contest, ballots that were “likely thrown out” and data showing apparent duplicate voting methods for a set of registered voters. Greg Buck, a retired CPA who said he co‑founded Minnesota Election Integrity Solutions, presented screenshots of registration and voting‑method entries and told the board that a set of roughly 30 apparent duplicates had been “corrected” in most cases between late December and Jan. 5, but six remained unresolved. He said the pattern of post‑certification corrections raised questions about process and public appearance.

Other speakers echoed the call for a county‑funded or third‑party review. Sharon Sikora, who identified herself as president of a local organization and a Republican precinct officer, said missing ballots were “unconscionable” and urged a new election that voters could trust. Karen Miller, an election judge from neighboring Dakota County, told commissioners she had observed “far too many anomalies and far too many changes for anyone to trust the results or the process.”

Speakers cited legal and administrative references at the meeting while urging review. Barnes and others pointed to federal and state reporting and retention requirements; in public remarks attendees referenced “52 U.S.C. 20701” (retention/preservation of election records) and Minnesota election statutes including 204C.33 regarding canvassing.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and said they were willing to continue investigating and to meet with residents and staff. Chair Beard (the acting chair at the start of the meeting) said several commissioners had already discussed possible changes and a workshop to examine the issues, and urged patience as officials pursue follow‑up. “I don't think there's any opposition to looking into an audit,” the chair said, adding that a workshop or meeting with election staff and legislators is likely to be scheduled.

County staff and several members of the public also described the complexity of modern elections, noting multiple voting methods (mail, absentee, early in‑person and election‑day voting) and the administrative processes that reconcile ballots, tabulator tallies and voter‑registration records. Greg Buck urged the board to consider a review of internal controls linking ballots to reported tallies and to voter‑roll entries.

Speakers disagreed about immediate remedies. Some asked that the county demand a new election where the margin could be affected by missing ballots; others asked for a forensic review or a state legislative audit. Board members said they would explore options with county staff, state legislators and potentially the state legislative auditor, but did not order a county‑funded third‑party audit at the meeting.

The commissioners heard roughly an hour of public comment on the topic before moving to other agenda items. Several residents left written materials and petitions with the board, and commissioners said staff would follow up. No formal board action to commission an audit or order a new election was taken at the meeting.