Minnesota Maintains Lead in Voter Turnout as Election Results Are Certified
Minnesota continues to showcase its commitment to democracy, achieving a remarkable 76.4 percent voter turnout in the recent November election, maintaining its status as the state with the highest participation in the nation. This achievement comes amid Wisconsin’s close competition, with unofficial reports indicating nearly 73 percent voter turnout, pending certification of their results on Friday.
Minnesota’s State Canvassing Board convened Thursday to certify the election results. Secretary of State Steve Simon expressed pride in the state’s voter engagement. "We are still, at this moment, in first place in voter turnout," he remarked, acknowledging Wisconsin’s narrow gap in participation rates.
The election saw about 60 percent of votes cast in-person on Election Day, while the remainder were absentee or mail-in votes. Acting elections director Paul Linnell noted that apart from the exceptional circumstances of the 2020 election, this year marked the highest rate of absentee voting in Minnesota’s history.
Although the election has been certified, the process continues with ongoing recounts in Minnesota House districts. Secretary Simon indicated that further challenges to the results remain a possibility, as Republicans gear up to legally contest the recounts, particularly in District 54A, where a significant controversy has arisen over the loss of 21 absentee ballots. Incumbent Rep. Brad Tabke is currently ahead in this tight race, leading Republican challenger Aaron Paul by just 15 votes. The Scott County Canvassing Board will meet Monday to finalize the results.
As both parties hold 67 seats each in the Minnesota House, efforts are underway to establish a power-sharing agreement amidst the ongoing tensions. The focus remains on ensuring election integrity while fostering a shared governance approach.
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