The justices, in a written ruling released Friday afternoon, agreed with House Democratic leaders and Secretary of State Steve Simon who argued that a quorum in the House was 68 members under the state constitution, not the 67 that Republicans claimed. The Supreme Court cited an article in the Minnesota Constitution as part of their reasoning.

November's elections left the House in a 67-67 even split, but Democratic Curtis Johnson was ruled ineligible due to residency requirements in District 40B, giving the GOP a temporary 67-66 advantage until a special election – which the DFL is almost certain to win – can be held.

Under state law, the House must have 68 members present — a majority of the total 134 seats, the justices wrote.