A Minnesota election judge has been arrested after allegedly allowing unregistered voters to cast ballots in the 2024 election. Timothy Micheaal Scouton, who served as the head election judge for Badoura Township Precinct in Hubbard County, faces charges of accepting the vote of an unregistered voter and neglect of duty as an election official.
The charges stem from an investigation that revealed Scouton allowed 11 voters to vote despite not having completed the necessary voter registration forms. An election auditor brought the issue to light after noticing the discrepancy, prompting an investigation by the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office. The registration forms, which are crucial for verifying voter identity and eligibility, were not properly filled out, yet the voters were still allowed to participate in the election.
BREAKING: An ELECTION JUDGE in Hubbard County, Minnesota, has been ARRESTED and charged with two felony counts for allowing 11 UNREGISTERED people to vote in the 2024 election.
His name is Timothy Scouton, and he's now facing up to ten years in prison and up to $20,000 in… pic.twitter.com/xGh2CvKjuk
— Candace (@roycan79) November 16, 2024
Despite completing election judge training in July, Scouton allegedly instructed other judges to ignore proper procedures. One judge reported that Scouton told her not to use the correct registration forms. In another instance, a different judge stated that Scouton directed her to have voters sign the back of a book, as she was unaware of the correct forms to use.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office has expressed serious concern over the charges. “These allegations are extremely serious and must be fully and thoroughly investigated,” the office said in a statement. “Election judges take an oath to administer elections in accordance with the law, and a deliberate failure to do so is unlawful and a betrayal of the public trust.”
ELECTION INTEGRITY: Another election judge has been arrested after authorities in Minnesota learned he was allowing people who were NOT registered to vote in the 2024 election. MN allows same-day registration with ID but the judge just had people sign his book instead. pic.twitter.com/BHcnWaaN7O
— @amuse (@amuse) November 18, 2024
Minnesota election judge charged with 2 felonies for allegedly letting 11 unregistered people vote https://t.co/nlw4hUfXOp
— The Minnesota Star Tribune (@StarTribune) November 16, 2024
Local authorities acted quickly after the Hubbard County Auditor flagged the issue, leading to a prompt investigation. This case highlights the importance of election officials adhering to established procedures to protect the integrity of the voting process. The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for future election oversight in Minnesota.
