Safety and security of Minnesota's election system was among the top issues in last night's debate between the secretary of state candidates here on WCCO.
The two-term incumbent, Democrat Steve Simon told moderator Blois Olson that he's confident of the process and will accept next month's results.
"Yes and yes, are the short answers," Simson responded. "I am confident. We've got a great team system in Minnesota; our office has a role to play, but so, too, do local governments."
But Republican challenger Kim Crockett says that voters have expressed to her real concerns about the state's election system, adding that significant improvement was needed.
As for the question of confidence in the current system, and if she'll accept the results...
"I think that's kind of an odd question," Crockett said. "We aren't there yet, we're weeks out. And we'll just have to see what happens between now and the certification of the election.
Simon criticized Crockett for suggesting the 2020 election was rigged.
She was heard in a video clip calling herself the "denier in chief."
Crockett said that was all in jest while speaking during a turn-out rally.
"If you listen to the whole thing, as opposed to the clip that the DFL pulled out, I am making light of that label," she said, adding that divisive labeling has to stop, and there's a need to turn to policies that will boost voters confidence in the election system.
Simson believes election concerns can be addressed.
"When people become acquainted and re-acquainted with the system as it really is, and not as it has been so often mischaracterized, they come away with a ton more confidence," he said. "When they are election judges. When they serve on absentee ballot boards."
Crockett wants lawmakers to consider changes to the election process, including shortening the early-voting period.
According to Simon the Minnesota election system is fair and safe.