The Justice Department has launched an inquiry into Minnesota’s voter registration practices, specifically targeting the state’s same-day “vouching” policy that allows registered voters to verify the residency of up to eight others seeking to register on Election Day.

In a letter sent Friday to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon requested unredacted records related to the March 2024 primary and the upcoming November 2024 general election. The request specifically seeks digital records of same-day registrations, votes cast by those registrants, and audit and compliance documentation under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

“The basis and purpose of this demand is to ensure Minnesota’s registration and voting practices are in compliance with federal law, particularly the minimum requirements under HAVA,” Dhillon wrote in the letter, which she later shared on social media platform X. “The Department of Justice is particularly concerned with votes and registrations accepted on the basis of ‘vouching’ from other registered voters or residential facility employees, as well as other same-day registration procedures.”

The investigation comes amid heightened concerns about election integrity following Minnesota’s recent welfare fraud scandal. The scrutiny has intensified since 2023, when Governor Tim Walz signed legislation providing “Driver’s Licenses for All,” allowing state-issued licenses regardless of immigration status.

A key point of concern is that these licenses carry no markings indicating citizenship status, despite being among the forms of identification accepted during voter registration processes.

Minnesota’s same-day voter registration through “vouching” has become particularly controversial. Under this system, a registered voter can attest to the residency of up to eight other individuals who wish to register on Election Day without presenting qualifying identification. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, the registered voter must physically accompany these individuals to the polling place and sign an oath verifying their address.

For residents who are not vouched for but still wish to vote on the same day, Minnesota requires at least one form of identity verification. Acceptable forms include a valid Minnesota driver’s license or learner’s permit, a receipt for either, or a tribal identification card with photo and signature.

The state also allows a variety of documents to prove residency, including driver’s licenses from any state, passports, expired IDs, military IDs, or Minnesota college and high school identification cards. This flexibility in documentation requirements has raised questions about the potential for voting irregularities.

Additionally, if someone is already registered to vote in a precinct but has changed their name or moved within the same precinct, they may still cast a ballot after simply informing the precinct election judge of their previous name or address.

The Justice Department’s inquiry is part of a broader effort to ensure election integrity as the presidential election approaches. The investigation reflects the Trump administration’s focus on potential vulnerabilities in state voting systems, particularly in battleground states like Minnesota that could play a crucial role in determining the election outcome.

Republican activist Scott Presler, who leads voter registration efforts nationwide, publicly praised Dhillon’s action, calling it “huge” in a social media response to the Assistant Attorney General’s post about the letter.

As of publication, Secretary Simon’s office had not responded to requests for comment on the Justice Department’s inquiry. The investigation adds another layer of scrutiny to Minnesota’s election procedures as the November general election approaches.

The Justice Department’s actions highlight the ongoing national debate about balancing voter access with election security, a tension that has become increasingly prominent in American politics over recent election cycles. The outcome of this inquiry could potentially influence voter registration procedures not just in Minnesota, but in other states with similar policies.