The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 5, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
If you ever need proof that your vote matters, consider a Minnesota House race decided by only 15 votes. Or was it? Twenty-one absentee ballots are missing, and hanging in the balance are not only who wins the district, but who wins control of the Minnesota State House.
House District 54a serves greater Shakopee, a Minneapolis suburb in Scott County. Minnesota Public Radio reports that after a recount November 21st, the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party’s Brad Tabke gained one vote and led by 15 votes over Republican challenger Aaron Paul. Tabke was declared the winner.
During the recount, however, secrecy envelopes for 21 absentee ballots which had been logged as received by election workers in October were unaccounted for. County officials are still investigating, but don’t think the ballots from those envelopes were counted, and suspect they were accidentally bailed and later shredded sometime before election day.
Partisan control of the Minnesota House is tied 67 to 67, and the outcome of the Tabke-Paul race has huge consequences for both sides. November 29th, Paul contested the race in Scott County District Court, claiming county election officials violated Minnesota’s election law, and because of the irregularities, a new election should be conducted.
We have the court challenge and links to detailed local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. We’re now posting on Bluesky Social @DemocracyMinute.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Minnesota Public Radio – Tabke wins Shakopee-area legislative race after recount, House control still unknown
CBS News Minnesota – Republicans file court challenge in close state House race after officials say 21 ballots likely thrown away
Minnesota Reformer – Commentary – The missing Shakopee ballots: What happened, what should have happened and what should happen now?
Minnesota Reformer – Republican Aaron Paul contests Shakopee House election result, requests special election
Scott County District Court via Election Law Blog – NOTICE OF ELECTION CONTEST UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTE§ 209.021
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #MyVoteCounts #Minnesota #YourVoteCounts