Minnesota’s Democratic state representatives staged a walkout on the first day of the legislative session to deny the state House a quorum in a fight over managing the equally divided chamber. The election results in November had resulted in 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans being elected to the state House. However, due to a residency challenge knocking out one Democrat and issues with tossed absentee ballots calling another’s victory into question, Republicans planned to take control. The walkout was meant to prevent Republicans from electing a state House speaker and appointing committee heads without all the expected members present. The Democrats plan to stay away from the Capitol until after a special election at the end of January, which is expected to give them more power in the House. National Democrats have also shown their support for the Democratic caucus in the upcoming special election. Issues surrounding state Rep. Brad Tabke, whose win was called into question due to thrown-out absentee ballots, have further complicated the situation. Democrats argue that they have no other choice but to deny a quorum until the special election restores the 67-67 balance, as Republicans could force another election for Tabke’s seat. The walkout comes after failed negotiations between the parties, further exacerbating the ongoing political deadlock in the Minnesota state House.
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