A recent citizen journalism investigation has brought to light several Somali-owned daycare centers in Minnesota that are allegedly vacant yet continue to receive taxpayer funding. This discovery has given rise to questions about the integrity of the state's election system. The centers have been scrutinized after President Donald Trump directed federal agents to investigate issues related to illegal immigration and potential fraud within Minnesota's Somali community.
The case has drawn national attention as federal authorities delve into the possibility that taxpayer money has been misappropriated to support Islamist terrorist organizations in North Africa. The revelations come at a sensitive time for Minnesota's political leadership. Gov. Tim Walz, who was the vice-presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections, faced criticism after Harris won Minnesota by a margin of 138,000 votes, a mere 4.2 percent of the total votes cast.
President Trump has openly chastised Gov. Walz, threatening federal prosecution over what he terms "gross incompetence." Additionally, the President has leveled accusations of citizenship fraud against state Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents a district with a substantial Somali population. However, Walz has defended his administration's efforts to combat fraud through law enforcement and program audits. Rep. Omar has called for restraint, urging the public not to blame the whole Somali community for the actions of a few individuals.
The situation intensified when journalist Nick Shirley released video evidence of the empty daycare centers. Sam Mielke, a Minnesota resident, expressed outrage on Twitter, calling for accountability and suggesting severe measures against those involved. The uproar has led to calls from federal legislators for protective measures to safeguard Minnesota's electoral system.
Central to the controversy is a Minnesota law that allows any registered voter to vouch for up to eight individuals on election day without needing identification. This vouching process is unique in the United States, as detailed on the official website of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. For residential facilities, the law allows employees to vouch for an unlimited number of residents.
Critics, such as Utah Sen. Mike Lee, have voiced their concerns, pushing for legislation like the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship for federal election registration. Activists and public figures, including Elon Musk, have pointed out the potential for exploitation of the vouching system, especially when paired with same-day registration policies.
Despite the state's sophisticated online processing system being credited with a high volume of voter registrations, Minnesota's rejection rate of applications is markedly lower than the national average. Between 2022 and 2024, the state rejected only 54 out of 1,372,437 applications, a stark contrast to other states with higher rejection rates.
In the wake of these revelations, public figures like Dr. Oz have suggested that Gov. Walz was aware of the alleged fraud but failed to act due to political considerations. Expenditures on autism services have reportedly surged, adding fuel to the fiery debate.
