Minnesota Supreme Court Denies Mike Lindell's Primary Recount Petition

The Supreme Court of Minnesota denied a petition from Mike Lindell to force a full recount of the August 11 Republican gubernatorial primary. Lindell lost the primary to House Speaker Lisa Demuth by more than 45,000 votes, a margin that exceeded the 0.25% threshold for public funding and required Lindell to pay an estimated $825,000 recount fee by August 24.

Lindell sought a temporary restraining order to compel the state to recount 1.1 million ballots, including those from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary, to investigate alleged anomalies caused by electronic voting machines. While the state maintains Lindell missed the payment deadline, Lindell provided a receipt he claims proves his readiness to pay. He argued that a full audit was necessary because his name appeared on every ballot.

Chief Justice Natalie Hudson ruled that the recount plan established by the Secretary of State and the State Canvassing Board followed legal procedures. Hudson stated that Lindell's focus on anomalies confused the purpose of a manual recount, which ensures accurate counting, with an election contest, which addresses irregularities in election conduct.

Lindell indicated he may appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court and is requesting election data from all 87 counties via the Freedom of Information Act. He has also filed a separate election contest in Ramsey County court, which remains unaffected by the Supreme Court's ruling.