Patriot Mike Lindell Fights for Election Integrity with $825,000 Minnesota Governor Primary Recount
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MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is taking a stand for election transparency by personally funding an $825,000 hand recount of the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary, exercising his legal right to ensure every ballot is counted and the people's voice is heard.
Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow and a tireless advocate for election integrity, announced Wednesday that he will personally finance a statewide hand recount and audit of every paper ballot cast in the August 11 Republican primary for Minnesota governor. Demonstrating his commitment to fair elections, Lindell is prepared to spend $825,000 to utilize a Minnesota statute that empowers candidates to request a full hand count, even when the margin is greater than the 0.25% threshold for an automatic state-funded recount.
Lindell stated, "One of the few good election laws Minnesota does have is that as a candidate, I have the right to completely audit and hand count every ballot in the state," and affirmed his intention to use this right "to the full extent of the law." His actions highlight the importance of candidates having the ability to verify election results and restore public confidence.
Secretary of State General Counsel Lauren Bethke sent Lindell a letter on Aug. 18 confirming the cost estimate and setting a deadline of Aug. 24 for him to submit a formal request and provide a bond, cash or surety for the amount. The Secretary of State’s office has prepared a contingency plan, appointing Paul Linnell, Director of Elections, as State Recount Official, and ensuring the recount will be conducted publicly and open to media observation, promoting transparency.
Although Lindell lost to House Speaker Lisa Demuth by about 11 percentage points, he has courageously pointed out "anomalies" in the primary, raising legitimate concerns about the process. While no official irregularities have yet been reported, Lindell’s vigilance is a necessary check in a system where election integrity must be safeguarded.
Lindell became a national figure after the 2020 presidential election, bravely questioning voting-machine security—an effort that, despite legal challenges from companies like Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, has kept the spotlight on the urgent need for election reform and accountability.