Residents press Carver County to use party‑balanced election judges and publish processes

Several residents used the public‑comment portion of the work session to urge greater transparency in absentee processing and to ask the board to prioritize party‑balanced election judges.

Patricia Williamson, who identified herself as chair of the Carver County Republicans, said party balance should be visible during early in‑person absentee processing and that party‑balanced judges should be used for voting in residential facilities and nursing homes rather than county staff. “It is within the power of the commissioners to say this is how we want to operate and run our elections,” Williamson said, urging the board to require party‑balanced judges where statutes allow.

Jennifer Ray and Monique LaCroix told the board that presentation materials posted on the agenda were difficult to find before the meeting and recommended evening town halls and earlier posting so more residents can participate. David Meisner, a Chaska Ward 4 resident who identified himself and said he is running for secretary of state, pressed the county on statutes and asserted the absentee board should be composed entirely of election judges rather than county deputies. Meisner criticized recent practice and urged the commissioners to commit to using election judges for all ballot‑board duties; he said a 1981 intent called for election judges to perform those duties, and he referenced a later Supreme Court ruling that narrowed mandatory tasks to signature verification.

County staff and commissioners responded that statutes specify which duties require election judges and that Carver County follows state law. Staff also said some practices reflect statutory constraints and state guidance.