DFL Gov. Tim Walz called a special election for a vacant House seat in the Roseville area too early and must choose a later date, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday in a decision that will extend Republicans’ advantage in a power struggle with Democrats in the House by granting them another month with a one-seat majority.

The Minnesota Supreme Court voided Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to hold a special election Jan. 28 for a Roseville-area seat in the state House, saying he called it prematurely. In a five-page order issued late Friday afternoon,

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday cancelled the special election for a metro House race later this month, finding Gov. Tim Walz set the date before state law requires.

The high court ruling means a special election scheduled for Jan. 28 will be canceled and Walz must issue a new writ of special election.

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday sided with Republicans in ruling Gov. Tim Walz prematurely ordered a Jan. 28 special election in the Roseville-area House District 40B. The writ of special election Walz issued on Dec. 27 is now quashed and the election must be canceled, the court ruled.

By Matt Sepic and Clay Masters, Minnesota Public Radio News BThe state Supreme Court Friday sided with Republicans in a lawsuit over the timing of a special election that could determine control of the Minnesota House,