Shakopee Democrat declared winner, despite 20 votes still ‘missing’
Yesterday, Scott County completed a recount of ballots in the race for State House of Representatives District 54A.
The headline from the Minnesota Star Tribune:
DFL Rep. Brad Tabke picks up one vote over Republican Aaron Paul after 54A recount
At the recount’s conclusion on Thursday, Brad Tabke had 10,980 votes to Aaron Paul’s 10,965. The outcome of the closely watched Minnesota House race could determine the balance of power in the chamber.
As for the “missing” absentee ballots, the Star Tribune quotes a local Scott County official:
Hanson declined to comment on the status of the absentee ballots but said an investigation into the situation remains ongoing.
No matter, Democrats are already declaring victory.
But wait, not so fast. MN House Republican leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) posted this on Twitter (X):
Meanwhile, the recount of votes in another close house race, 14B, in Sherburne County is scheduled for Monday. The outcome of either recount could determine control of the state house for the next two years.
Curiously enough, local media are lavishing much attention on a distant election case with no possible impact on final results.
In northwestern Minnesota’s Hubbard County, a local election judge faces two felony charges for allowing eleven (11) voters to submit ballots without fully completing the same-day registration paperwork.
If only the other 86 counties cared as much about such details.