The preliminary investigation into what happened to 20 ballots unaccounted for in the closest state House race in Minnesota concluded that they were likely thrown away and won't be recovered, the Scott County attorney said Wednesday.

The House is on course to be evenly split between Democrats and Republicans while Democrats are set to keep control of the state Senate.

GOP members raise questions over outcome of House seat 54A election and say they will appeal the results to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Two races being recounted in the Minnesota House have members of the Democratic Farm Labor Party, the state’s Democratic Party, on track to win the races. Incumbent DFL Reps. Dan Wolgamott and Brad Tabke will continue to serve Minnesota House districts 14B and 54A,

After a recount upheld a DFL candidate’s narrow win, the outcome moves next to the courts for a race that would determine whether the Minnesota House is in GOP hands or tied next year.

Tim Walz has accepted the symbolic presentation of a turkey as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota’s governor following the Harris-Walz ticket’s defeat in the presidential election.

The preliminary investigation into what happened to 20 ballots unaccounted for in the closest state House race in Minnesota concluded that they were likely thrown away and won't be recovered, the Scott County attorney said Wednesday.

The ceremony in the governor's reception room was the first time Walz had met with reporters at the state Capitol since last summer.

The closest state House race in Minnesota is headed to court after House Republicans said Tuesday they will file a lawsuit challenging the results this week.

Rep. Wolgamott's opponent Sue Ek had requested the recount after absentee ballots failed to upload on election night.

Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar said in the Wednesday, Nov. 27, press release that while the county’s preliminary investigation into the 21 missing ballots is ongoing, the discrepancy is “likely to be the result of human error” that occurred during the counting of early absentee ballots at the City of Shakopee between Oct.17-18.

Wikstrom alleges Democrat Curtis Johnson lives in Little Canada and then leased an apartment in the district in the spring but never actually lived there.