PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — The head election judge in a Hubbard County township pleaded guilty to election fraud. Timothy Scouton, age 65, accepted ballots from 11 unregistered voters in the November 2024 election. Scouton’s explanation was that he couldn’t find registration forms at the polling place so he instructed election judges to write down the voters’ names, dates of birth, and addresses instead of using the legally required forms. The problem was identified right away by County Auditor Kay Rave when she was cross-checking voter names with voter registration lists. Scouton was promptly charged with accepting ballots from unregistered voters and with neglect of duty. After Scouton’s plea of guilty, Judge Kathryn Lorsbach scheduled sentencing for mid-May. Possible sentence: 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Meanwhile Scouton has been prohibited from serving as an election judge ever again.
Scouton. Facing jail for shortcut in administering 2024 election.
Badoura Township profile
Hubbard County, population 21,000, is 80 miles west of Duluth. Badora Township has 41 households and 106 people. The median age: 48. Per capita income $37,600.
Verbatim
Steve Simon, secretary of state, who runs Minnesota elections: “Election crimes are extremely rare. “Election-related crimes by election workers are nearly unprecedented.”