Mike Lindell wants every Republican primary ballot for Minnesota governor counted by hand after losing the nomination by around 45,000 votes, and the reaction from some Minnesotans online has been less than sympathetic.
Lindell announced Wednesday that he intends to pay for a statewide hand recount and audit covering every paper ballot cast in the Aug. 11 primary. Lisa Demuth defeated the Trump-endorsed Lindell by 11 percentage points, but he has not conceded.
According to KSTP, Lindell claims he identified several “irregularities” in election-night reporting data, including vote totals moving backward, synchronized totals across Republican candidates and counties apparently reporting more votes than were cast. The station said it had contacted the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office about his claims and was awaiting a response.
Lindell insists Minnesota law gives him the ability to audit the ballots and said: “I am going to exercise that right to full extent of the law.”
Even if the recount does not reverse his defeat, Lindell said the process could become a “gateway to get rid of election voting machines.”
‘This Is Incredibly Stupid’
That declaration did little to win over commenters on Minnesota’s subreddit. One of the bluntest reactions consisted of four words: “Tool. Absolute tool.”
Another commenter was equally dismissive, writing: “This is incredibly stupid. The results weren’t even close.”
Others focused less on Lindell’s allegations and more on the prospect of him spending money to confirm a result they already believe is obvious. One user joked that the recount might actually benefit Minnesota if Lindell pays for the work himself, while another simply said: “I would get the money from him first!”
There was also considerable amusement at the possibility that a hand count could leave Lindell with an even worse result. One commenter wrote: “It would be hilarious if they did this recount and he loses by even more.”
But beneath the mockery was a more serious concern. Several users argued that Lindell’s real objective may not be overturning a 45,000-vote deficit at all, but continuing to cast suspicion on Minnesota elections ahead of future contests.
Others questioned the basic logic of alleging suspicious activity in a Republican primary. As one commenter put it: “Wait are they saying the republicans are doing voter fraud now? I lost track.”
Reddit is hardly a scientific sample of Minnesota opinion, and the thread does not establish whether Lindell’s allegations have merit. What it does show is a pocket of intense local frustration, with commenters treating the proposed recount as everything from a costly stunt to another attempt to keep election doubts alive.
Lindell, meanwhile, appears determined to proceed. Losing the primary was one thing. Convincing his Minnesota critics that there is still a race worth recounting may prove considerably harder.
