Closest State House Race With Missing Ballots Wraps Up Day One Of Election Trial

CBS Minnesota

December 17, 2024

SHAKOPEE, Minn. — A Scott County judge on Monday heard arguments in an election contest with 21 missing ballots in question and whose outcome could determine the political power balance in the Minnesota House.

It's the latest development in a weeks-long saga since the election in which DFL Rep. Brad Tabke defeated GOP challenger Aaron Paul by 14 votes in House District 54A, which covers Shakopee. A recount affirmed that victory but Scott County elections officials identified a discrepancy between records of people voting absentee and the number of ballots counted. The county attorney said the preliminary investigation determined those ballots were likely discarded in the trash and cannot be recovered.

Paul is asking the judge to invalidate the results of the election due to this error. His attorney, Reid LeBeau, in opening statements, said the misstep undermines public trust in the election.

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