Claiming the potential for missing absentee ballots has “obscured” election results, Minnesota Republicans say they will file a lawsuit to contest a southwest metro state House race recount where the Democratic-Farmer-Labor incumbent won reelection by just 15 votes.

It’s the latest challenge by Republicans after this November’s election gave the state a House tied 67-67 between the parties. If they prevail and go on to win the race, Republicans will secure a majority in the chamber.

GOP leadership announced their intent to challenge the results of the House District 54A race Tuesday after last week’s recount found Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, had defeated Republican challenger Aaron Paul by one more vote than the original count.

Lisa Demuth (Courtesy photo)

In a statement, House Republican Speaker-Designate Lisa Demuth said her party is challenging the results because of ongoing questions about potentially missing absentee ballots in the city of Shakopee — something Scott County officials continue to investigate.

“The recount may be over, but the investigation into the 21 missing ballots in District 54A is still ongoing,” she said. “Enough ballots remain missing to potentially sway the outcome of the election.”

House DFL campaign staff couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.

‘Discrepancy in the count’

Last week, county elections manager Julie Hanson “identified a discrepancy in the count of ballots, in which 21 more absentee records than ballots were counted in the City of Shakopee,” according to a news release from Scott County.

The Scott County canvassing board certified the results of the recount on Monday, but according to officials they are only charged with auditing and verifying the ballots they have in their possession.

“The canvassing board has very limited authority in this situation, any remedy sought after certification is not part of the canvassing board’s role,” County Administrator Lezlie Vermillion said in a news release. It’s now up to a court to decide what happens next.

Paul has until next Monday to file a challenge. As of Tuesday, he hadn’t submitted anything in court.

Divided House

The Minnesota House will be in a partisan tie in January if this year’s election results hold, and leaders of both parties continue to negotiate power sharing. But District 54A isn’t the only race where Republicans are pursuing legal action to challenge the results.

In District 40B, which covers parts of Roseville and Shoreview, Republican Paul Wikstrom has filed a lawsuit challenging the residency of DFL opponent Curtis Johnson.

A partial recount Monday in House District 14B confirmed Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, defeated Republican challenger Sue Ek. The Sherburne County recount found Wolgamott won by 190 votes — one fewer than the initial count.

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