Only 2 of Dakota County's 7 Commissioners Have Signed the Voting Pledge & Residents Are Not Happy

TLDR

• A group of Dakota County residents is asking all seven county commissioners to sign a "Freedom to Vote Protection Pledge."
• It's three promises: follow the Constitution and state election law, refuse unlawful orders that restrict voting, and seat the rightful winners in November.
• Residents told the board only Commissioner Joe Atkins and Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland have signed.
• Roughly a dozen people spoke about it at the September 1 meeting. It was their second trip to the podium.
• No commissioner responded. Public comment at Dakota County isn't a back-and-forth.

Two weeks ago, about 20 Dakota County residents showed up at a county board meeting and asked all seven commissioners to sign a pledge. By the speakers' count, two signed.

On September 1 they came back. And this time they weren't as polite about it.

What the Pledge Actually Says

It's short. Three commitments:

1. Abide by the U.S. Constitution and state election laws.
2. Refuse to comply with any unlawful executive orders or data requests that seek to restrict voting.
3. Faithfully play your role to certify and seat the rightfully elected winners this November, regardless of party.

Several speakers made the same point about it — this isn't a heavy lift. "This is truly a low bar to commit to of just following applicable laws and then honoring the election results," said Lynn Rankinen of Eagan.

Lee Nelson of Apple Valley put it more plainly: "It is a low bar. And so we're hoping, not to lecture you, but we're hoping you'll do the right thing and sign the petition."

Who's Signed and Who Hasn't

This part comes from the speakers themselves, not from a county record — the pledge is a citizen document, so there's no official list.

According to residents who addressed the board, the two who have signed are Joe Atkins (District 2) and Mary Hamann-Roland (District 7).

That leaves five who residents say haven't: Mike Slavik (District 1), Laurie Halverson (District 3, board chair), William Droste (District 4), Liz Workman (District 5), and Mary Liz Holberg (District 6).

You can find your commissioner on the county board page if you're not sure which district you're in.

The Frustration Was the Story

Rankinen was the sharpest. "We are all disappointed and frankly angry at this response," she said. "It's a slap in the face to your constituents who are counting on you to ensure their vote is counted, and to all the election judges who volunteer their time and will face the threats and violence of people who believe our elections are rigged because of your silence."

Then she went through possible explanations out loud. Do you think Minnesota's voter protections already cover it? Do you think it's unnecessary because you've been trained? "Do you feel you'd be taking some kind of risk if you sign it? Or is it something else?"

Nobody answered. That's not how the format works.

Who Showed Up

This wasn't one type of person. Over about 45 minutes the board heard from:

• Lee Nelson, Apple Valley, an election judge. "Quite frankly, I'm scared. I'm scared for my fellow poll workers, and I'm scared for the voters."
• Kelly McCowan, Eagan, a 50-year county resident and new grandmother. "I cannot think of what might happen to our elections and have to tell my grandchildren that I didn't do everything that I could to protect them."
• Hassan Mohammed, imam of the Rosemount mosque, who's lived in the area 13 years. He said the community is scared, "especially immigrants who become naturalized citizens." Then he read all three pledge items aloud.
• Pastor Tim, lead pastor at Amazing Grace Lutheran in Inver Grove Heights. "Disenfranchisement of our neighbors is a moral failure for which we are all responsible."
• Asif Rahman, Eagan. "I'm concerned if I go to the voting center and I see ICE there, will I be picked up as a person of color?"
• Dr. Heidi Weatherall, Eagan, a retired biology professor. "I'm appalled that this is even an issue."
• Dan Quillen, West St. Paul, 76. He listed gerrymandering, proposed mail-in voting restrictions, federal demands for voter rolls, and new citizenship proof rules — then asked everyone in the room there for the same reason to stand up. A chunk of the room did.
• Melissa Lowe, Apple Valley, a retired professor who became an election judge in retirement. "Politics is taking care of the people you are elected to serve."
• Rukia Abdi, Apple Valley, an author and librarian, who used child development language: "There is a period that's called a sensitive period... if you do not read to your child, it's gonna be too late to catch up."
• Jan Dawson, Burnsville, who kept it to a thank-you and one ask.
• Mary Johnson Christian, who had a specific question: has the board talked to the Dakota County Sheriff about election safety? She said she'd asked deputies at the Dakota County Fair and they hadn't had those conversations.

There were more, from all over the county — the kind of turnout you usually only see for a contested development. Ahmed Ahmed from Lakeville. Dwayne Scar from Mendota Heights, who'd just taken his granddaughter to vote for the first time. Sumaya from Apple Valley. Cheryl Mars. Dottie Quam from Burnsville.

The Room Wasn't One-Sided

Worth being clear about this: the same public comment period also included four residents raising the opposite concern — that the county's new voting machines contain modems that state law prohibits.

Anne Schramm of Inver Grove Heights basically bridged both. "I believe that we should have fair elections. And I also believe that legal citizens should be voting, and I don't think there needs to be fear at the election... And I also believe that our elections will be fair and safe if we address the modem issue."

Rankinen went the other direction. After all her criticism, she added: "And just as an aside, I have full confidence in all of our voting equipment."

Did the Board Say Anything?

Not about the pledge.

Chair Laurie Halverson thanked everyone and explained the format. "You notice that this isn't a back and forth, and it's really your testimony, and it's your time."

She did note that Elections Director Michelle Blue would give an update later in the meeting, which she did — but Blue's remarks were about equipment certification and modem procedure, not about the pledge or federal interference. Blue did say she's personally spoken with the Dakota County Sheriff and every city police department, and that "they have all prioritized election safety and security this year." That's about as close as anyone came to answering Mary Johnson Christian's question.

At one point Halverson asked the room to hold its reactions. "I appreciate the decorum, I appreciate the thoughtfulness that everyone brought."

The Bottom Line

Nothing was voted on and nothing is scheduled. The pledge isn't a county document — it's a citizen ask, and each commissioner decides individually.

If you want to weigh in, email your commissioner directly or write CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us. You can also sign up to speak at a regular board meeting. The next one is September 22 at 9:00 a.m. in Hastings — and that's also the day the board sets its maximum property tax levy for 2027, so it's going to be a busy morning.

Early voting for the November general starts in late September. If you have questions about your own rights at the polls, the Minnesota Attorney General's office keeps a voter rights page covering intimidation and misinformation.