Ellison encourages Minnesotans to know their rights at the polls

With the election a week away, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is encouraging the state’s residents to know their rights at the polls in regards to voter safety.

"Minnesota has a history of running the best, highest-turnout elections in America. Minnesotans have every reason to expect that the November 3 elections in our state will run as safely, smoothly, and securely as always," Ellison said in a statement.

He added, "As Attorney General, I do not expect to have to enforce these laws. But I will not hesitate to enforce them to the fullest extent if necessary to protect Minnesotans’ right to vote."

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Voting rights Ellison reminded Minnesotans of includes the following:

• No one may prevent you from voting or registering to vote.
• No one may force you to vote for or against someone.
• No one may interfere with you when you go to vote.
• Only voters are allowed within 100 feet of polling places, with limited exceptions. So-called "poll watchers" are not allowed within 100 feet of polling places.
• No one may harass or intimidate you more than 100 feet from a polling place.
• No one may interfere with you while you cast your ballot.
• The president may not order agents of the federal government to polling places. Agents of the federal government may not interfere with your right to vote.
• The president may not order military to polling places. Military may not interfere with your right to vote.
• Private armed forces are illegal in Minnesota and may not interfere with your right to vote.

The attorney general asks that anyone who experiences intimidation report it to his office at 877-600-8683.

Last week, Ellison’s office announced it was investigating a Tennessee-based company that was allegedly recruiting veterans to perform security services during the elections.

AG Ellison granted written assurance that Tennessee company will not provide private security at Minnesota polling places

In a written assurance, Atlas Aegis said it would not plan to provide security at polling places in the state and that its previous statements were incorrect.

The assurance states that they will not intimidate any voters in Minnesota and will communicate through its channels that it was wrong to suggest it was recruiting security for "protection of election polls" in Minnesota.