Politics and Government News

MPR News is your hub for the latest politics and government news coverage. Whether you're looking for the status of a recent Supreme Court ruling, or want updates on Minnesota's newest laws, we have comprehensive state and national news coverage ready for you.

November 5, 2020 6:50 AM

Trump wants a recount in Wisconsin. How would it work?

Wisconsin does not have automatic recounts, but a losing candidate can file a sworn petition requesting one if the margin of victory is less than 1 percent. Democrat Joe Biden leads by roughly 21,000 votes.

by David Schaper and Brakkton Booker

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November 5, 2020 5:50 AM

Explainer: States still in play and what makes them that way

A handful of pivotal states remain in play in the tightly contested U.S. presidential race. Here, The Associated Press reviews them and examines the reasons why they could still go to either Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden

by The Associated Press

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November 5, 2020 5:21 AM

Biden-Trump counting presses ahead 2 days after Election Day

Election officials in key battlegrounds are pressing forward with vote counting, two days after Election Day. Democrat Joe Biden is urging patience, while President Donald Trump is pursuing legal options, insisting the processing of ballots should be stopped.

by The Associated Press

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November 5, 2020 4:00 AM

Wisconsin officials confident vote will stand up to recount

It’s unusual to overcome a deficit as large as the one President Donald Trump faces in a recount. It’s the latest twist in a critical battleground state that went from a messy April primary to a relatively smooth general election. Wisconsin officials say the recount in their state four years ago demonstrated the soundness of their system.

by Tom Scheck and Geoffrey Hing

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November 4, 2020 10:51 PM

From marijuana to mushrooms, voters want drug laws eased

Voters in 2020 pushed for drug reform. Several states approved marijuana for recreational and medicinal use. Oregon voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs.

by Dustin Jones

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November 4, 2020 10:25 PM

Explainer: Why AP called Michigan for Biden

The Associated Press declared Biden the winner of the state at 5:56 p.m. EST Wednesday after conducting an analysis of votes and remaining ballots left to be counted.

by The Associated Press

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November 4, 2020 8:43 PM

Trump sues in 3 states, laying ground for contesting outcome

Suits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia are demanding better access for campaign observers to locations where ballots are being processed and counted. The Trump campaign is also expressing concerns over absentee ballots.

by The Associated Press

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November 4, 2020 7:30 PM

When will we know the winner? Time frames for key states

Here's how much longer it will take to count the votes in the remaining key states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina.

by Bill Chappell and Sam Gringlas

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November 4, 2020 7:17 PM

Claim that Sharpie pens ruin Arizona ballots misses the mark

As states across the U.S. release vote totals for the presidential election, some social media users are falsely claiming that ballots are being invalidated in Arizona. The supposed culprit: Sharpie markers.

by The Associated Press

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November 4, 2020 6:28 PM

Charter commission rejects Minneapolis council’s public safety amendment

The commission’s decision will not necessarily thwart Minneapolis City Council’s bid to redesign the public safety system, including the Police Department.

by Brandt Williams

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