Minnesota certifies Biden win, state voter turnout nears 80%

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden are entering a 64-day sprint to the finish that is widely expected to be one of the most turbulent and chaotic periods in the modern history of American politics. Each side cast the other as an existential threat to America’s future as they offered voters starkly different versions of reality over the last two weeks of carefully scripted conventions. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s state canvassing board has unanimously certified the state’s election results.

It’s an ordinarily routine task that drew closer attention due to President Donald Trump’s efforts to delay it in key states. The board agreed 5-0 that Joe Biden defeated Trump in Minnesota by just over 233,000 votes, or about 7 percentage points. Biden therefore officially got Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes.

Secretary of State Steve Simon and four judges comprise the board. Shortly before the meeting, the Minnesota Supreme Court deferred action on a petition by some Republican lawmakers, candidates and voters who sought a temporary restraining order to delay the vote.