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By Clay Masters, Minnesota Public Radio News

With 76.4 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot in the November election, Minnesota looks to continue its streak of having the highest voter turnout in the nation. The only challenger is Wisconsin, which certifies its election results Friday.

Minnesota’s State Canvassing Board — which is tasked with reviewing and approving the state’s election results — met Thursday to certify the November election.

“We are still, at this moment, in first place in voter turnout,” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon told members of the State Canvassing Board. “I’m pretty obsessively pushing refresh throughout the course of most days … Wisconsin trails narrowly.”

The Associated Press is reporting that Wisconsin had a historically high voter turnout in November with nearly 73 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot. The results are unofficial until the results are certified.

In Minnesota, roughly 6 in 10 voters chose to cast ballots in-person on Election Day. The remainder were cast by absentee or mail ballot.

“Other than the 2020 election, when voters were encouraged to stay home and vote by mail and vote early, this is the highest rate of absentee voting that we’ve seen for any election here in Minnesota,” said the state’s acting elections director, Paul Linnell.

The board recessed instead of adjourning Thursday as members wait for reports from the two Minnesota House recounts.

“This isn’t the end of the road,” Secretary of State Steve Simon told MPR News in an interview after the canvassing board met. “It’s possible that a recount will require some sort of adjustment in the final results or the final winning candidates.”

Simon said someone who wants to contest the election could still challenge  certain races in court.

“There are still other avenues to determine the final outcome,” Simon said.

Republicans are readying a legal challenge to a recount in District 54A that could determine control of the Minnesota House. Election officials are investigating the loss of 21 physical absentee ballots in the race. Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, is on course to win the race after a recount found him leading Republican challenger Aaron Paul by 15 votes.

With just 4 disputed ballots, Tabke will be declared the winner when the Scott County Canvassing Board meets on Monday to certify the local results.

“House Republicans will pursue every legal option available, including a potential election contest, to ensure the integrity of the results in District 54A,” House Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth said in a statement.

Democrats and Republicans are currently deadlocked in the House with each party holding 67 seats. Demuth and DFL Leader Melissa Hortman are working on a power sharing agreement.