The Person at the Top
The chief election official in Minnesota is the Secretary of State. As of September 2026, this position is held by Steve Simon. Simon, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was first sworn into office in January 2015. As the state's 22nd Secretary of State, he is the most visible figure in Minnesota's election administration, responsible for overseeing the entire statewide process. However, it's crucial to understand that this isn't a one-person job. The Secretary of State partners with officials in all 87 counties, as well as city and township clerks, who manage the on-the-ground mechanics of voting.
What the Secretary of State Actually Does
While local officials handle polling places and ballot counting, the Secretary of State's office acts as the central command. Their primary
election-related duty is to ensure the state's election laws are applied uniformly and fairly. This involves managing the statewide voter registration system, where all of Minnesota's nearly four million eligible voters are cataloged. The office also certifies the voting systems used across the state to make sure they are secure and accurate, and trains local election officials on proper procedures. After an election, the Secretary of State chairs the State Canvassing Board, which reviews and certifies the final results for federal and state offices.
More Than Just Elections
The role of Minnesota's Secretary of State extends beyond ballots and voting machines. This constitutional officer is also the custodian of the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota and is responsible for a wide range of official record-keeping. The office handles the registration for all businesses operating in the state, from large corporations to small enterprises filing an assumed name. Furthermore, the Secretary administers the "Safe at Home" program, an address confidentiality service for residents who fear for their safety, often due to domestic abuse or stalking. The Secretary also serves on several key state boards, including the State Board of Investment and the Executive Council.
A Profile of Steve Simon
Steve Simon brought a deep background in election law to the office. Before becoming Secretary of State, he served for a decade in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where he chaired the Elections Committee. During his time as a legislator, he was a key author of major voting reforms in the state, including no-excuse absentee voting and online voter registration. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Simon also worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the state and as a private practice attorney. His stated goals in office have consistently focused on expanding voter access, removing barriers to participation, and maintaining a fair and secure election system for all Minnesotans.
How the System Works Together
It's helpful to think of Minnesota's election administration as a pyramid. At the top is the Secretary of State, who sets statewide policy and manages central systems. The next layer consists of county auditors, who are the primary election administrators at the local level. They are responsible for everything from training the poll workers (known as election judges) to managing absentee ballots and testing the voting equipment for their county. At the base of the pyramid are the municipal clerks and the thousands of election judges who staff the polling places on Election Day. This decentralized but interconnected structure is a hallmark of Minnesota's system, which consistently produces one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation.
