Court Opinion

ID: 9720170
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:18:55.062967+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:13.936020
License: Public Domain

Murphy, Justice
(dissenting).
I cannot disagree with the majority opinion in so far as it deals with the right of the lieutenant governor to vote under art. 5 of the Minnesota Constitution. I am of the opinion, however, that we should be guided by the general rule expressed in 29 C. J. S., Elections, § 252, p. 699, which states:
“* * * [w]here constitutional or statutory provisions make a legislative body the sole judge of the election and qualifica*157tions of its own members, the final decision rests in such body, and the courts may not interfere.”
Shorn of procedural trappings, the real issue involves a partisan political dispute which should not be before us. I cannot agree with the majority opinion in so far as it might be interpreted to be an encroachment by the judiciary upon the exercise of functions delegated to the legislature. In any event, I am inclined to the view that the proceedings are premature, since the legislature has not yet determined the eligibility and qualifications of the pivotal member, as provided by Minn. St. 209.10; nor can I agree that judicial interference is warranted because the traditional democratic process of deliberation and compromise has failed.