A Minnesota state House race decided by just 14 votes has become a flashpoint for election integrity after 21 ballots were reported missing in Shakopee. Democrat Brad Tabke was declared the winner over Republican Aaron Paul in a race critical to the balance of power in the state legislature.
Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar confirmed that the ballots were likely discarded before being counted. An audit revealed discrepancies between voter check-ins and the final tally, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the outcome.
Republicans have filed an election contest, calling for a new vote in District 54A. House Republican Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth said, “It’s impossible to declare a winner with 20 ballots missing and no way to recover them. This issue demands a new election.”
Election night saw delays and errors in absentee ballot processing. Shakopee officials initially handled the ballots before transferring the task to Scott County. While totals were initially thought to match, an audit later uncovered the missing ballots.
This race, along with another Minnesota contest that flipped from Republican to Democrat overnight, has raised questions about transparency. Paul led by 360 votes with all precincts reporting but ended up trailing Tabke after late-night updates.
The investigation continues, but Republicans insist that voter confidence can only be restored through a new election. With the Minnesota House currently tied 67-67, the contested race carries significant implications for party control.
