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Residents urge Sherburne County to appoint sergeant-at-arms after alleged 2024 early-voting disruptions
Summary
Three residents told the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners that surveillance video and a sheriff's report show coordinated disturbances during 2024 early voting and asked the board to appoint a sergeant-at-arms to protect election workers; commissioners said appointment authority rests with election judges and asked for submitted materials to be given to the clerk.
Three residents urged Sherburne County commissioners on May 19 to take immediate steps to protect election workers after what they described as chaotic scenes at the 2024 early-voting period in the auditor-treasurer’s office.
"Surveillance video captured one individual casting two separate ballots on the same day," Linda Schultz told the board during the public comment period, offering to provide video and a sheriff’s report. Brenda Hansen and Gary Tonfiger described large groups arriving together, translators or assistants handling multiple applications, and staff forced to interrupt routine duties to manage the influx.
"Because of the documented chaos that occurred in 2024, I respectfully ask the county commission to make a motion today to appoint a sergeant at arms to assist election workers at the auditor treasurer's office during the entire pre-election and early voting period," Schultz said.
Gary Tonfiger cited Minnesota statute 204C.06, subdivision 5, and told commissioners he had drafted a resolution and would provide a 24-page sheriff’s report, a 384-page detailed report and still photos documenting the incident.
Commissioners responded that the board’s authority over election operations is limited by state law. Commissioner Halls explained the county board cannot direct an elected county auditor on operational matters and that, under statute, the authority to appoint a sergeant-at-arms is vested with election judges.
Chair (speaker 1) asked that any documents be given to the clerk so they could be distributed to the appropriate staff and reviewed. The board did not take immediate formal action on the public request during the meeting.
The exchange closed with the clerk confirming no other speakers were signed up for open forum.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff to accept submitted materials for advisement; no motion or vote to appoint a sergeant-at-arms was recorded at the meeting.
