Whether or not State Sen. Torrey Westrom has legally established residence in the new District 12 and can remain on the Nov. 8 ballot is now before the minnesota Supreme Court, according to a report in the Grant County Herald.

On August 8, A District 12 Senate candidate Ashley Klingbeil filed a petition with the court claiming Republican candidate Westrom had not established legal residency in the new district and should be removed form the ballot.  On August 9, Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul C. Thissen issued an order setting last Monday, Aug. 15 as the deadline for parties to submit evidence supporting their cases.

“Petitioners allege that candidate Westrom dos not and will not have resided in District 12 for six months immediately preceding the general election as required by…” the Minnesota Constitution and state statue, Thissen wrote.  

The order stated that Westrom was served with the petition and supporting documents on August 6.  Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the auditors of Pope, Swift, Big Stone, Douglas, Stevens and Stearns counties were also served with the petition, it was reported.