# Minnesota official’s voter guide message on Somali TV triggers viral backlash: ‘Not an accident’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/minnesota-officials-voter-guide-message-on-somali-tv-triggers-viral-backlash-not-an-accident/
- Published: 2026-10-30T00:00:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T00:49:48+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/minnesota-officials-voter-guide-message-somali-tv-triggers-viral-backlash-not-accident
- Topics: Elections, Entertainment, Politics, Trending, TV, Weird & Viral, World

## Key points

- Official’s voter guidance on Somali TV sparked online backlash.
- Minnesota says she accurately described election rules.
- Critics say the citizenship requirement should have been emphasised.

## Summary

A Minnesota election official’s explanation of voter registration and early voting on Somali-language television has drawn viral criticism online, with opponents arguing that the guidance could make it easier for non-citizens to vote. The state Secretary of State’s office said the director gave accurate information about election law and that political actors had misrepresented her remarks.

The official, Melanie Hazelip, said registered voters need not bring identification, while unregistered voters can register on election day using an updated Minnesota ID or documents listed on the state website. Minnesota law requires voters to be citizens, although critics say the guidance should have stressed that requirement. The article also links the controversy to scrutiny of state social services fraud and a 2023 law signed by Governor Tim Walz; the supplied text ends before explaining that law’s details.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.