never responsive data
why public records/data request is broken in Hennepin County, Minnesota
Here's a taste of an email exchange relating to a POLL PRINT pilot to attach on-demand ballot printers to KNOWiNK poll pads (electronic rosters in Minn. Stat. 201.225) in Hennepin County as seen in Attachment 1B of Amendment 2 to HC A-168495, a contract with KNOWiNK, a private 3rd party software and hardware vendor for the rosters for voter check-in and registration on election day, known as same day registration, for which Minnesota has astronomical numbers despite so many ways for voters to be automatically registered, & etc.
Begin email:
No thanks - the data request system has failed in my opinion. Not your fault. Just a comment.
I'll be documenting in my book(s) because 99% of people my guess have never sent a question and too many questions are just replied to with 'No responsive data' which is a massive turnoff. I know it takes effort to THINK about good questions and more effort on your part and paid staff to find an answer if it exists or isn't classified, which by the way unless we are discussing UFO, which war.gov/ufo is finally declassifying, there's nothing scary about elections and data therein to bother classifying unless covering up... who is being protected and what is being protected?
In general, why not include a helping hand on how to better request data, etc. Just 'No responsive data' over and over feels so unsatisfying.
Furthermore, the current governance structure is unable to audit itself, preferring operational continuity attributable authority. That's a system level issue, not your personal design, so it is a frank comment on why i cannot waste any more time sending questions to receive months later 'No responsive data.'
For example the 'No responsive data' to cast vote record reports indicates no election was actually conducted in Hennepin in 2024, which is accurate as everything is managed electronically top down. Somehow Ginny Gelms the election manager still has her position after in my opinion knowingly violating law regarding absentee ballot boards in 2024.
For another example, Susan tells me the poll print pilot was not completed and yet the contracts show it was initiated. Why the obfuscation? Why not share me some of the findings of the pilot? Instead, No responsive data is Susan's response. Imagine a friend asking how things are going and you say, No responsive data.
In my opinion you all have been trained to mistrust honest people asking questions the government itself should already be asking and isn't. I realize your jobs are difficult but that's also why you get paid to do it.
But we shall all see this and other things being revealed as the age of denial is over. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Erik
Sent from Proton Mail for Android.
-------- Original Message --------
On Wednesday, 05/27/26 at 12:10 Chris Chiu <Chris.Chiu@hennepin.us> wrote:
Hello Erik,
Please submit your request for information related to poll print through the Data Request Portal.
-Chris
Chris Chiu | he/him/his
Hennepin County Elections
Chris.Chiu@hennepin.us | www.hennepin.us/elections
From: Erik <erikvanmechelen@proton.me>
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 11:02 PM
To: Susan Fritze <Susan.Fritze@hennepin.us>
Cc: Chris Chiu <Chris.Chiu@hennepin.us>
Subject: RE: [External] Poll pad print roll out
Hi Team,
Are there any updates on the Poll Print implementation? Specifically referring to the equipment provided in Attachment 1B here.
Thanks,
Erik
Sent with Proton Mail secure email.
On Monday, June 23rd, 2025 at 2:05 PM, Susan Fritze <Susan.Fritze@hennepin.us> wrote:
Hi Erik,
My title is Deputy Elections Director. Your additional questions on poll print can be directed to Chris.Chiu@hennepin.us. Or, if you have other requests for data please direct those to the Hennepin County data request portal. Data Request Portal
From: Erik <erikvanmechelen@proton.me>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 3:22 PM
To: Susan Fritze <Susan.Fritze@hennepin.us>
Cc: Chris Chiu <Chris.Chiu@hennepin.us>
Subject: RE: [External] Poll pad print roll out
Hi Susan,
This email's language implies that the pilot was started but not completed - where can the public find information or participate in the discussion about the ongoing evaluation of need?
Where can one find current decision to not implement at this time?
What factors would change such a decision?
Also, is your role the deputy elections manager?
Thanks,
Erik
On Friday, April 11th, 2025 at 3:54 PM, Susan Fritze <Susan.Fritze@hennepin.us> wrote:
Erik,
Hennepin County Elections did not complete this pilot in 2024 and would have no responsive data regarding it’s results. We are still evaluating the need for this equipment as part of our operations in the future. We don’t have plans to implement its use at this time.
If you have other requests for data related to this pilot, please direct those to the Hennepin County data request portal. Data Request Portal
From: Erik <erikvanmechelen@proton.me>
Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2025 10:04 PM
To: Susan Fritze <Susan.Fritze@hennepin.us>
Subject: [External] Poll pad print roll out
CAUTION: This email was sent from outside of Hennepin County. Unless you recognize the sender and know the content, do not click links or open attachments.
Hi Susan,
What can you share about the results of the Hennepin County poll pad print pilot conducted in 2024? Is the pilot expected to continue or expand in 2025?
Thanks,
Erik
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