Missing Ballots In Shakopee Spark Controversy In Tight State House Race

In a razor-thin Minnesota state House race decided by just 14 votes, investigators have discovered that 21 ballots were likely discarded by election officials in Shakopee. The Democrat incumbent, Brad Tabke, was declared the winner, but Republican challenger Aaron Paul has contested the results, citing concerns over election integrity.

Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar confirmed the ballots were likely thrown away after being removed from their signature envelopes but before being tabulated. “This unfortunate situation resulted in a level of confusion that should not have occurred,” Hocevar said in a statement.

The ballots were discovered missing during an audit when officials noticed some voters checked in but their votes were not included in totals. Even if recovered, investigators noted, the ballots’ chain of custody could not be verified to ensure they had not been tampered with.

Republicans have called for a new election, with House Republican Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth emphasizing the need to protect the vote’s integrity. “With 20 ballots missing and a 14-vote margin, it’s impossible to declare a winner,” she said, calling for transparency and accountability in District 54A.

This race, along with another that flipped from Republican to Democrat, has heightened scrutiny over late-night vote changes. According to reports, Paul held a 360-vote lead late on election night, only to lose by 14 votes hours later, raising questions about the process.

The investigation continues, but for Republicans, the stakes are high. The current Minnesota House is evenly split 67-67, and the outcome of this contested race could determine the balance of power in the state legislature.