Minnesota Republicans announced on Tuesday their intention to file petitions for recall elections for 66 Democratic-Farmer-Labor representatives who have been boycotting the legislative session. This move is part of ongoing power-sharing negotiations in the Minnesota House, where Republicans are pressuring the DFL members to return to the state Capitol.
The state GOP’s decision follows a previous announcement of a lawsuit aimed at compelling the DFL members to return, a tactic that was thwarted by the state Supreme Court’s recent ruling in favor of the DFLers. The recall process in Minnesota is lengthy and requires approval from the state Supreme Court before signatures can be collected. This process has never been successfully completed since its inception in 1996.
With the House at a standstill due to the boycott, both parties are engaged in discussions to reach a power-sharing agreement. Democrats are demanding the seating of Rep. Brad Tabke, whose election was disputed in court, as a condition for their return. The House is currently at a one-seat disadvantage to the Republicans, and a special election for a vacant House seat in Roseville is expected to result in a tied balance.
Republicans claim the DFL members have engaged in nonfeasance by refusing to attend the legislative session, while the Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to overturn an election they lost. The recall petitions allege nonfeasance and malfeasance on the part of the DFL lawmakers, citing their absence and swearing-in of members at a private ceremony. However, the success of the recall petitions is uncertain, as the process is complex and requires a significant number of signatures from voters.
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