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.

As a result of the ruling, the Republican Party's 67-66 advantage will last longer, perhaps well into February or March.