As of August 10th, 2011,
113 individuals are now known to have been convicted for voter fraud committed in 2008. We believe this is the highest number of voter fraud convictions obtained in any state for a single election cycle since 1936. In fact, according to a 2006 Justice Department report, there have been more convictions for voter fraud in Minnesota from just the 2008 election than the DOJ was able to prosecute over a five year span, nationwide. . . .
A report produced by Citizens for Election Integrity titled “Facts About Ineligible Voting and Voter Fraud in Minnesota” (November, 2010) included survey data from the county attorneys in Anoka and Dakota Counties that indicated the primary reason suspected ineligible voters were not charged was because the attorneys could not prove these individuals knowingly violated election law. A total of 83% of suspects not charged in Anoka County and 53.5% of suspects not charged in Dakota County fell into this category.
In other words, most of the suspects on Minnesota Majority’s original list did, in fact, vote while ineligible, but the standard for prosecution in Minnesota is “ineligible voter knowingly votes.” If an ineligible voter claims not to have known they were breaking the law, it’s difficult for prosecutors to prove otherwise. In essence, to be convicted of voter fraud, the suspect must generally admit willful, knowing guilt.
Minnesota Majority’s survey of county attorneys revealed an additional 112 suspected ineligible voters who had been charged and were awaiting trial as of August 10th, 2011. Another 73 were reported to be pending charges.
While some ineligible felon voters registered in advance of the election and should have been flagged for challenge, the overwhelming majority who evaded detection used Election Day Registration, which currently has no mechanism to detect or prevent ineligible voters.
http://www.electionintegritywatch.co...onvictions.pdf