Reader Calls for Securing Elections to Prevent Fraud

An 86-year-old Duluth resident argues that protecting the integrity of elections should not be alarming.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:07am

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A solitary, weathered ballot box sits on a dimly lit street corner, its surface reflecting the warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows that create a cinematic, nostalgic mood, evoking the weight and importance of the democratic process.An aging ballot box stands as a symbol of the ongoing debate over election security and voter fraud.Duluth Today

In a letter to the editor, Rilla DeBot Opelt, an 86-year-old Duluth resident, argues that securing elections to prevent the votes of the dead, non-citizens, and forgers from being counted is a necessary step to protect the integrity of the electoral process. Opelt claims that those who oppose such measures are often the ones engaging in voter fraud.

Why it matters

Debates around election security and voter fraud have become highly polarized, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the democratic process. This letter reflects the perspective of some older, conservative voters who believe that stronger measures are needed to prevent voter fraud, even if others view such efforts as voter suppression.

The details

In her letter, Opelt references a previous News Tribune article about Democrats and advocacy groups sounding the alarm over actions by former President Trump that they claim could undermine election security. Opelt argues that securing elections to prevent invalid votes should only be alarming to those who want the votes of the dead, non-citizens, and forgers to be counted. She also claims that the 'repeated lies, disinformation, and attacks' made against the lawfully elected president and the actions of ICE by Minnesota's governor, attorney general, senators, and the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis are causing great damage to the truth.

  • Opelt's letter was published on March 31, 2026.

The players

Rilla DeBot Opelt

An 86-year-old resident of Duluth, Minnesota who wrote a letter to the editor arguing for stronger measures to secure elections and prevent voter fraud.

Minnesota Governor

The governor of Minnesota, who Opelt claims has made 'repeated lies, disinformation, and attacks' against the lawfully elected president and the actions of ICE.

Minnesota Attorney General

The attorney general of Minnesota, who Opelt claims has made 'repeated lies, disinformation, and attacks' against the lawfully elected president and the actions of ICE.

Minnesota Senators

The senators of Minnesota, who Opelt claims have made 'repeated lies, disinformation, and attacks' against the lawfully elected president and the actions of ICE.

Mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis

The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who Opelt claims have made 'repeated lies, disinformation, and attacks' against the lawfully elected president and the actions of ICE.

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What they’re saying

“Securing our election process to prevent the votes of the dead, non-citizens, and forgers from being counted as valid should only be alarming to those who want the votes of the dead, non-citizens, and forgers to be counted as valid.”

— Rilla DeBot Opelt, Duluth Resident

“I've learned in my 86 years that when you are accused of something, it is often the accuser who has done it.”

— Rilla DeBot Opelt, Duluth Resident

The takeaway

This letter reflects the perspective of some older, conservative voters who believe that stronger measures are needed to prevent voter fraud, even if others view such efforts as voter suppression. The debate over election security remains highly polarized, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the democratic process.