(Clips) Reviewing the Administration and Security of Minnesota's 2020 Election

Secretary of State Steve Simon appeared before the Senate Elections Committee Tuesday, December 8, to answer committee members questions about the security of the 2020 general election. Simon quickly cited the overall success of election day, where Minnesota led the nation in voting, and worked to dispel any concerns of election fraud.

"I will not in this hearing amplify or dignify conspiracy theories," Simon said. "We have seen a lot of them in this past month on the federal and the state level, and they are not just wrong, they are dangerous, and they have to stop...because I think someone might get killed." he added.

"We all deplore that and find that reprehensible, disavow and do not support it," chair Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, said. "However, that should not ever put us in the same thing that when we ask questions about our election system, that that is somehow in itself some shameful activity," she said.

Senator Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, asked Simon whether the Secretary of State's Office would support an independent audit to restore faith in the election system among his constituents. Simon replied that he is willing to have further conversations about reasons for an audit, but stressed that the state engages in robust review of the election system that Minnesotans have confidence in.