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.

Minnesota’s supreme court sided with the Democrats, ruling that 68 house members — a majority of the 134-seat chamber — must be present to establish a quorum.

The Minnesota House began its third deadlocked week due to a Democratic boycott over a power struggle with House Republicans. The state House GOP argues that it can rule with its 67-66 majority after successfully challenging the residency of a Democratic representative.