The Minnesota Republican Party scrambled to have Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump included on the state's ballot Thursday morning, after learning he was absent.
Trump’s name was added to the Secretary of State’s list of presidential candidates in a last-second move, according to Twin Cities.com.
Keith Downey, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, described Trump's absence on the ballot as a paperwork problem.
Minnesota PR and communications guru Michael Brodkorb, a former Republican operative, sounded the alarm Wednesday night on Twitter.
Question to @MNSteveSimon -> Why is Donald Trump not listed on the sample ballot available on the SOS website? https://t.co/t7F4EvM610— Michael Brodkorb (@Michael Brodkorb) 1472082842.0
Brodkorb reported l that a delay on the part of the Minnesota GOP came from the party not electing alternate electors. The party didn't elect them until Wednesday night in efforts to fix the problem. However, that isn't allowed in the Minnesota GOP's Constitution. The filing deadline to appear on the ballot was Aug. 29.
No procedure for #MNGOP state exec to elect/appoint national electors - problem now for #MNGOP in sending Trump's name to SOS for ballot.— Michael Brodkorb (@Michael Brodkorb) 1472100808.0
UPDATE: Total confusion among #MNGOP officials on process for Trump being on MN ballot - absolutely possible they could've missed deadline.— Michael Brodkorb (@Michael Brodkorb) 1472088434.0
The Independent conservative presidential candidate Evan McMullin, who is opposing Trump, did make it onto the state ballot. Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, and a number of other third party candidates also successfully filed.
Brodkorb said the Minnesota GOP violated its own rules to have Trump added to the ballot.
UPDATE: Names of presidential electors & alternates in MN...again, #MNGOP did NOT follow law to elect alternates -> https://t.co/4xevynT5Ay— Michael Brodkorb (@Michael Brodkorb) 1472149649.0
UPDATE: Please note: No date on #MNGOP electors/alternates form. How can Downey "certify"? HUGE legal problems ahead https://t.co/aijVbTGEXj— Michael Brodkorb (@Michael Brodkorb) 1472151403.0
(Note: This story has been updated.)