Olmsted County attends the 2026 Minnesota Elections Administration Conference

Olmsted County continues to earn community trust through engagement, collaboration, and reliable public service, and that commitment is reflected in the way local elections staff prepare for every election. Recently, members of the county’s Elections team participated in the 2026 Minnesota Elections Administration Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, to strengthen their knowledge and skills in election integrity and security. 

Training for secure and accurate elections 

The conference covered the full scope of election administration, ensuring local officials are prepared to manage every step of the process with accuracy and transparency. Topics included voter registration, candidate filings, ballot preparation, absentee and early voting, Election Day operations, results reporting systems, and post-election reconciliation. 

This training is required for county election administrators to obtain and maintain certification through the Secretary of State’s Office, reinforcing a consistent, statewide standard for how elections are conducted. 

Together, these elements form a comprehensive approach to election administration, one that prioritizes both efficiency and security at every stage. 

A focus on election security and infrastructure 

A key theme throughout the conference was the importance of election security as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure. Since 2017, election systems have been formally recognized as critical infrastructure by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, aligning them with essential sectors like energy, banking, and communications. 

This designation does not change how elections are run at the local level. Instead, it strengthens partnerships and provides access to additional federal resources, particularly in cybersecurity, risk assessments, and information sharing. It also reflects a broader understanding of election security, one that includes not just voting equipment and systems, but also facilities, processes, and public confidence. 

Federal partners, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, work alongside state and local officials to provide guidance, tools, and support to help safeguard election systems against evolving threats. 

Minnesota’s strong track record 

Minnesota’s commitment to election integrity continues to stand out nationally. According to the MIT Election Performance Index, the state earned the highest score in the country in 2024, with an overall rating of 89 percent. The index evaluates factors such as voter turnout, registration rates, ballot rejection rates, accessibility, and wait times, highlighting Minnesota’s consistent performance across multiple election cycles. 

Building trust through preparation and partnership 

For Olmsted County, participating in the Elections Administration Conference is one of many ways the Elections team works to ensure every election is secure, accurate, and fair. By staying up to date on best practices, strengthening partnerships, and continuously improving processes, the county helps build and maintain public trust. 

To learn more of Olmsted County Elections, visit our elections and voting page.