But Election Day Itself Was Uneventful In Minnesota With No Major Contests Reported.

Minnesota’s top elections official says he knows of no specific, credible threats targeting the state’s midterm elections, but local and state officials remain “alert.” The big picture: The FBI and Homeland Security issued two warnings about threats against election workers and voter intimidation earlier this month.

The FBI singled out states that faced public disputes, counts and audits in 2020, including Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Minnesota was not on the list.

Threat level: Secretary of State Steve Simon tells Axios that while “there’s less overall risk in Minnesota than other places,” the FBI’s warning “forces us to be ready for these things where we can.” What they do: Earlier this year, the Secretary of State’s office expanded the role of its cybersecurity navigator, a former Navy officer who has worked in intelligence, to also focus on physical election security.

The goal, Simon said, is “to make sure the people running the election are safe.”

Escalation: At the local level, election officials in various county and municipal agencies have participated in de-escalation or security training offered by a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

“We’re certainly watching the national temperature in this midterm, which is obviously very polarized,” said Christiaan Cartwright, director of elections for the city of Rochester. Election workers in Hennepin and Ramsey counties were also offered safety training.

What they’re saying: “The best option is just to listen and make people feel heard,” said Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle, whose office and local government have been inundated with allegations of fraud by local activists. “People don’t expect to get their way all the time, they expect to be heard.” Between the lines: Unlike other states, Minnesota law limits activities in and around polling places — each major party is allowed only one observer at or within 100 feet of a polling place.

Those rules may help avoid major clashes or disturbances on Election Day, Simon said.

Flashback: High tension ahead of the presidential election has fueled concerns about voter intimidation and potential clashes over cover-up rules.

But Election Day itself went smoothly in Minnesota, with no major problems reported.