Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Minnesota voter guide prompts online backlash over registration rules
Minnesota voter outreach director Melanie Hazelip explained voting rules during an Oct.
26 appearance on Somali TV of Minnesota.
She said registered voters can vote early without bringing anything, while people who are not registered can register on Election Day using an updated Minnesota ID or other listed documents.
The rules apply to eligible voters, and state law requires voters to be U.S. citizens.
The clip spread widely after conservative influencer End Wokeness posted it, and critics argued the rules made it too easy for non-citizens to vote.
Minnesota's Secretary of State's office said Hazelip gave accurate information and that her comments had been misrepresented online.
The office said it regularly shares information about election laws with nonpartisan community groups.
The backlash came days before the election, as the office said it remained focused on making voting information available.
Minnesota voter outreach director Melanie Hazelip described the state’s voter registration and voting rules during an Oct. 26 appearance on Somali TV of Minnesota.
Her remarks said registered voters do not need to bring documents to vote, while unregistered voters can register on Election Day using an updated Minnesota ID or other documents.
The clip drew online backlash after conservative influencer End Wokeness shared it, with critics arguing that the rules make it too easy for non-citizens to vote.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office said Hazelip provided accurate information about state election laws and that her remarks had been misrepresented.
- Who
- Minnesota voter outreach director Melanie Hazelip and the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office; online critics also responded to her remarks.
- What
- Hazelip explained voter registration and voting rules, including same-day registration. The remarks prompted online criticism.
- When
- Hazelip appeared on Somali TV of Minnesota on Oct. 26; Fox News published its report on Oct. 30, 2026.
- Where
- Somali TV of Minnesota; the online backlash was discussed on social media.
- Why
- Hazelip was providing information about Minnesota election laws and how eligible voters can cast ballots. Critics said the rules could make it easier for non-citizens to vote.
Online critics
Minnesota Secretary of State’s office
Election rules
Online critics
Critics argued the rules create a low-friction path to voting and could enable non-citizens to vote.
Minnesota Secretary of State’s office
The office said Hazelip accurately described Minnesota election laws and how eligible voters cast ballots.
Purpose of remarks
Online critics
Critics described the guidance as concerning and questioned whether it amounted to election interference.
Minnesota Secretary of State’s office
The office said voter outreach is a regular effort to provide election information to community groups.
Hazelip appeared on Somali TV of Minnesota and discussed Minnesota’s voting and registration rules.
Conservative influencer End Wokeness posted the clip, which drew online criticism and nearly a million views.
Fox News published its report on the backlash.
- Appearance date
- Oct. 26
- Voter outreach director
- Melanie Hazelip
- TV outlet
- Somali TV of Minnesota
- Clip views
- Almost a million
- Same-day registration
- An updated Minnesota ID or documents listed on the state website can be used, according to Hazelip’s remarks.
1 source
What people are saying
If you’re already registered to vote, you don’t need to bring anything with you
Unfortunately, her accurate remarks have been misinterpreted and misrepresented by political actors online
This is how the system is built. It is not an accident.
Democrats are on a mission to tell every non-citizen how they can get away with voting in our elections.