MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder endorsed by President Donald Trump in the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race, is not actively registered to vote in the state he is seeking to govern, according to election officials and a review of voter records.

A spokesperson for the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office said Lindell did not have an active Minnesota voter-registration record as of July 17. Meanwhile, voter records reviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune showed that Lindell remained actively registered in Texas. 

The disclosure has attracted national attention because Lindell has made election administration and scrutiny of voter rolls central themes of his political activity.

Mike Lindell responds to voter-registration questions

Lindell told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he did not know whether he was currently registered in Minnesota and planned to check his status.

He said he intended to vote in the upcoming Minnesota Republican primary and would not cast a ballot in Texas because he no longer lives there. Lindell also emphasized that he would not attempt to vote in both states. 

Lindell previously acknowledged living in Texas before returning to Minnesota. Records cited by news organizations indicate that he was registered in Texas beginning in 2023 and described himself as a Texas citizen in a court filing. He has since said that he re-established full-time residency in Minnesota. 

Can Mike Lindell still vote in Minnesota?

Lindell’s lack of an active Minnesota voter registration does not necessarily prevent him from voting in the August 11 primary.

Minnesota permits eligible residents to register or update their registration at an early-voting location or at their polling place on Election Day. To vote in the state, a person must generally be a United States citizen, be at least 18 years old and have lived in Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election. 

That means Lindell could register before casting his ballot, provided he meets the state’s voter-eligibility and residency requirements.

Does the registration issue affect Lindell’s candidacy?

Not being actively registered to vote does not, by itself, automatically disqualify Lindell from running for governor.

Minnesota gubernatorial candidates must certify that they are eligible voters. They must also be at least 25 years old when taking office and must have lived in Minnesota for at least one year by the date of the general election. 

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Lindell does not have to maintain an active voter registration merely to appear as a candidate. However, questions surrounding his voter record and previous Texas residency could continue to draw political scrutiny during the campaign. 

Trump endorsement raises Lindell’s profile

President Trump endorsed Lindell on July 15, describing the businessman as a hardworking patriot and praising his commitment to Minnesota.

Lindell welcomed the endorsement as he competes in the crowded Republican primary against Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls, who received the state Republican Party’s endorsement. 

Trump’s support immediately increased national attention on Lindell’s campaign. It also intensified scrutiny of Lindell’s background, residency and voter-registration status ahead of the primary.

Minnesota governor race set for August primary

Minnesota’s Republican primary is scheduled for August 11. Lindell, Demuth and Qualls are competing for the opportunity to represent the party in the November general election.

The Democratic field is led by longtime U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, while outgoing Governor Tim Walz is not seeking another term. 

For now, the available voter records indicate that Mike Lindell is actively registered in Texas but does not have an active registration in Minnesota. He can still update his registration before voting, leaving the controversy more immediately significant as a political issue than as an automatic barrier to his candidacy.