Gary: Michael, Thanks for taking the time this Saturday to talk about KSTP’s investigation into Mark Ritchie.
Michael: Thanks for the opportunity.
GARY: What was the most disturbing thing for you from the piece?
MICHAEL: It’s clear from KSTP’s report that mistakes were made regarding how absentee ballots were counted. Similar ballots cast in different areas were treated differently.
GARY: Is this a rule of law issue as well as an electoral issue?
MICHAEL: It’s both - #1. SOS Ritchie had a responsibility to train local election officials and it’s clear that mistakes were made. His training simply didn’t work. #2. Local elections officials either didn’t know how to count absentee ballots or they choose to ignore the law - either way there are still questions as to who was actually elected to the U.S. Senate - Al Franken or Norm Coleman…
#3. I found SOS Ritchie conduct in the interview with KSTP appalling.
GARY: He didn’t take them seriously, did he?
MICHAEL: No. Let me elaborate…let me be direct…as I said in the press conference…his approach to enforcing election law is the “Alfred E. Neuman” approach - “what, me worry?” He has a responsibility to take these matters seriously and he didn’t…he was combative and obnoxious…for him to tell the reporter from KSTP that “You would have had to tell me to bring my glasses” in response to evidence of problems with absentee ballots is complete abdication of his responsibilities as SOS…he simply doesn’t care.
GARY: Michael, As you know, I wrote extensively about the Coleman-Franken Recount so I got fairly familiar with Minnesota election law…The criteria for what’s required for a ballot to be accepted is quite clear.
MICHAEL: Correct Gary…and as KSTP’s report showed, the law wasn’t followed and mistakes were made. Local election officials agreed that mistakes were made.
GARY: My point, Michael Brodkorb, is to say that the problem wasn’t that the laws were unclear. The problem is Mark Ritchie.
MICHAEL: You’re correct. It’s clear that his office didn’t the proper training…look KSTP’s report was filled with examples and local elections said mistakes were made…The responsibility lies with SOS Ritchie and his conduct and attitude in the interview with KSTP was the most disrespectful behavior I have ever seen by a constitutional officeholder in Minnesota…
GARY: Michael, I’d like for you to comment on the absentee ballots that weren’t even signed. How could something like that get missed?
MICHAEL: They get counted by election officials who are not properly trained and by SOS who isn’t concerned about enforcing Minnesota election law…
GARY: You’re calling on Rep. Gene Pelowski & Sen. Ann Rest to conduct hearings into this issue. What things should they look into specifically?
MICHAEL: Specifically…Chairman Sutton and I asked for a “full accounting of the procedures and policies of absentee ballots as administered by the Office of Secretary of State…” We want to know why absentee ballots were treated differently depending on where you live…But we also need a new SOS…there is no greater threat to fair & open elections in Minnesota than Mark Ritchie…
GARY: I agree…If you won’t obey clearly written laws, then you aren’t doing your duty. What you’re doing is disenfranchising people who followed the rules.
MICHAEL: Yes…and let me very clear for your readers…there is no greater threat to fair & open elections in Minnesota than Mark Ritchie…SoS Ritchie’s “leadership” has likely created the largest collection of disenfranchised voters in Minnesota history…That’s a great question Gary…that is why we need to have people show a photo id when they vote…
GARY: By not following Minnesota’s election laws, which are the most clearly written election laws in the nation, Mr. Ritchie has given us a reason not to trust him. How can we be certain that the people whose names are on the envelopes are the people who voted?
MICHAEL: That’s a great question Gary…that is why we need to have people show a photo id when they vote…
GARY: Last winter, after the DFL said that there wasn’t proof that voter fraud existed, I wrote that it’s impossible to find what you REFUSE to look for.
MICHAEL: The evidence is clear…KSTP’s report show that there was fraud…and that mistakes were made…and what did Minnesota’s chief elections officer do? Bury his head in the sand and complain that he didn’t have his glasses…Remember…there is no greater threat to fair & open elections in Minnesota than Mark Ritchie…
GARY: I agree, Michael. Michael, do you know if anyone has looked to see if any of the absentee ballots that got accepted also voted in person on Election Day?
MICHAEL: No..I don’t think we will ever know the answer…it’s shameful.
GARY: Michael, Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. These are things that must be our highest priority this session. If election laws aren’t followed, then public mistrust only grows.
MICHAEL: Gary - thank you for the opportunity…You are a true patriot and I thank you for your dedication to advancing Conservative principles & message. I look forward to chatting again!

Technorati: Elections, Mark Ritchie, Absentee Ballots, DFL, Michael Brodkorb, Photo ID, Interview, MNGOP