Lindell Demands Recount, Then Refuses to Pay the Bill in Minnesota
Mike Lindell Hits Pause on Minnesota Recount Payment: What’s Going On?
The Big Picture in Simple Terms
Imagine you’re in a race and come in second place. You think something might be wrong with the counting, so you offer to pay for a do-over (that’s called a recount). But then the people in charge say, "We’ll only recount some of the votes, not all of them." You say, "That’s not fair! Count everything or I’m not paying!"
That’s basically what’s happening right now in Minnesota with Mike Lindell and the Republican governor primary.
Who’s Who in This Story
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Mike Lindell | MyPillow founder, came in 2nd place in the Republican primary |
| Lisa Demuth | Minnesota House Speaker, won the Republican primary |
| Steve Simon | Minnesota Secretary of State (the state’s top election official) |
| Lauren Bethke | General Counsel for the Secretary of State’s office |
| Amy Klobuchar | Democratic Senator, will face the Republican winner in November |
What Happened? A Step-by-Step Breakdown
- August 11 – Primary election day. Lindell says he won’t concede, claims his team saw "anomalies" but shows no proof.
- August 13 – Lindell announces he’ll personally pay for a statewide hand recount.
- August 18 – State Canvassing Board approves the recount plan.
- August 25 (Monday) – Deadline for Lindell to submit payment ($825,000).
- Monday – Lindell’s campaign says payment is "primed and ready" but won’t send it because they disagree with how the recount will be done.
The Core Dispute: What Should Be Counted?
IMPORTANT POINT
This isn’t about whether to recount – it’s about WHICH VOTES get recounted.
Lindell’s Team Says:
- Minnesota law says a recount must determine "the number of votes validly cast for the office" – meaning ALL votes in the Republican governor race.
- The state wants to count only votes for Lindell and Demuth, ignoring votes for other candidates.
- That’s unlawful and puts Lindell in an "untenable position."
Secretary of State’s Office Says:
- Their plan follows state law and rules used for 20 years.
- The plan was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18.
- It includes: public access, media access, and a clear chain of command for counting.
By the Numbers
- Lisa Demuth: 179,683 votes
- Mike Lindell: 134,282 votes
- Recount cost: $825,000 (Lindell says he’ll pay it)
- Deadline missed: Monday, August 25
What Lindell Wants Now
His campaign is asking the state to pause the payment deadline until a court can decide on the proper scope of the recount.
In plain English: "Don’t make me pay yet – let a judge tell you how to do this right first."
What the State Says Back
Cassondra Knudson (spokesperson for Secretary of State Steve Simon):
"Our office provided the contingent recount plan to Mr. Lindell after it was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18. The plan follows state law and administrative rules on recount procedures, and is consistent with plans of its kind for the past two decades."
Translation: "We did this by the book, same way we’ve done it for 20 years."
What Happens Next?
| Possibility | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Court steps in | A judge decides the recount rules; deadline may be extended |
| Lindell pays anyway | Recount proceeds under state’s plan |
| Lindell doesn’t pay | No recount happens; Demuth remains the nominee |
| Settlement | Both sides agree on a modified plan |
Key Facts to Remember
FACT CHECK
- No official findings of fraud or irregularities in the primary
- Recounts are normal – Minnesota law allows losing candidates to request them
- The winner faces Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the November 3 general election
- Gov. Tim Walz is retiring – this is an open seat
Summary
Mike Lindell lost the Republican primary for Minnesota governor to Lisa Demuth. He promised to pay $825,000 for a hand recount but refused to pay by the Monday deadline because he disagrees with the state’s plan to only recount votes for the top two candidates. Lindell says Minnesota law requires all votes in the race to be recounted. The Secretary of State says their plan is legal and standard. Now Lindell wants a court to decide before he pays. The Republican nominee will face Senator Amy Klobuchar in November.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is a recount, exactly?
A recount is an official re-check of votes to make sure the original count was accurate. In Minnesota, a losing candidate can request one and must pay for it.
Why does Lindell care about votes for other candidates?
If votes for other candidates were miscounted or misallocated, it could (in theory) change the totals for Lindell and Demuth. Lindell argues the law requires checking all votes for the office, not just the top two.
Has anyone found actual fraud?
No. State officials say there have been no official findings of fraud or irregularities. Lindell mentioned "anomalies" on election night but provided no evidence.
What happens if Lindell never pays?
Then no recount happens, and Lisa Demuth remains the Republican nominee. She’ll face Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election on November 3.
Why is the recount so expensive ($825,000)?
It’s a statewide hand recount – meaning real people physically counting paper ballots at locations across Minnesota. That takes staff, space, security, and time.
This article explains a developing news story in simple terms. For the latest updates, check official sources like the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office or trusted news outlets.