Democrats in the Minnesota House are boycotting the Capitol over a disagreement about the power Republicans should hold given a temporary advantage there. They’re doing events in their districts instead.

Minnesota’s top court ruled that Republicans had overstepped their authority by conducting business in the Legislature even as Democrats boycotted the session.

Tensions were high Wednesday ahead of a Supreme Court hearing to determine what constitutes a quorum of the chamber, which Minnesota House Democrats have been boycotting since the 2025 session began

Democrats in the Minnesota House who have boycotted daily sessions are using tactics that lawmakers around the country have tried at least two dozen times before to thwart their opponents. It's not even a first for the state.

A one-seat Republican majority in the Statehouse and a looming special election made for a tense start to a new era of divided government.

They said that in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a quorum, as according to the Minnesota Constitution, based on the current total number of seats is 68.

The Minnesota Supreme Court sided with Democrats on Friday in a power struggle with Republicans in the state House of Representatives but left it up to lawmakers to figure out a way to work together.

It's time for the Democrats' walkout to end and for the legislature to get on with its work,' Rep. Lisa Demuth said after court ruling.

Minnesota’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state House of Representatives must have at least 68 members present in order to conduct business, handing a victory to Democratic-Farmer-Labor representatives boycotting the session.