Mike Lindell recount lawsuit Minnesota
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Mike Lindell sued Minnesota officials over recount scope; state Supreme Court denied his request. The ruling upholds the state's recount plan, ending Lindell's bid for a full hand recount.
Background
Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, lost the August 11 primary to Lisa Demuth by about 45,000 votes. He refused to pay the $825,000 recount fee, disputing the state's plan to limit the recount to two candidates, and filed a lawsuit seeking a full manual recount of all ballots. The Minnesota Supreme Court denied his request, ruling the state's recount plan was lawful.
How it unfolded
- Aug 11, 2026Lindell lost the Republican primary for governor to Lisa Demuth by about 45,000 votes.
- Aug 18, 2026The State Canvassing Board approved a contingent recount plan.
- Aug 24, 2026Lindell announced he would pay $825,000 for a full hand recount and audit.
- Aug 25, 2026Lindell filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court, disputing the recount process and requesting a temporary restraining order. He did not submit the payment by the midnight deadline.
- Aug 29, 2026The Minnesota Supreme Court denied Lindell's request, ruling the state's recount plan was lawful.
Who’s saying what
- Lindell
- Lindell argued the recount should include all ballots, citing 'anomalies' and 'irregularities' in election data, and said he would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- State Officials
- Secretary of State Steve Simon's office maintained the recount plan follows state law and is consistent with previous plans.
- Court
- The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the state's recount plan was lawful and that officials were not committing any wrongful act.
Still unverified
Lindell's claims of 'anomalies' and 'irregularities' in election data are unverified and disputed by state officials.