(KSTP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has made a ruling in a much-discussed quorum dispute that determines the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

On Friday, the Supreme Court stated that a quorum requires a majority of the total number of seats of each house and that vacancies do not reduce the number required for a majority of each house to constitute a quorum.

They said that in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a quorum, as according to the Minnesota Constitution, based on the current total number of seats is 68. The total number of seats in the House of Representatives is 134.

The Supreme Court said that they “assume the parties will now conform to this order without the necessity of issuing a formal writ.”

Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) released the following statement in response to the decision:

“This decision drives home the fact that House Democrats are disrespecting not just their own constituents, but the entire state of Minnesota by refusing to do their jobs. House Republicans will be showing up to work on Monday — it’s time for the Democrats’ walkout to end and for the legislature to get on with its work.”

“Republicans tried to seize power that the voters did not give them,” said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman via a press release. “Now that it is clear Republicans must work with Democrats for the House to operate, I am hopeful we will be able to shortly negotiate an acceptable path forward. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and return to the negotiating table immediately. Democrats have asked for something very simple from Republicans, and that is to honor the will of the voters statewide, including in Shakopee. Democrats have been focused on work within our legislative districts but hope to be working collaboratively with Republicans soon in St. Paul as well.”

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement regarding the decision:

“I thank the court for its promptness and clarity in this case. This was a closely contested legal issue, and for the first time in state history we now have a final answer on what constitutes a legislative quorum. I appreciate that the Justices agreed with this Office that 68 members were necessary for the House to conduct business on January 14. I look forward to re-convening the House of Representatives – and to working with an organized legislature to advance the interests of all Minnesotans.”

This comes after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Thursday from both sides on how many members are required to conduct official business.

Democrats said the Minnesota Constitution designates a quorum as a “static” 68 members. Republicans, who have 67 seated members, say their one-seat majority empowers them to conduct business on the House floor — including electing Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, as House speaker.

Republicans also argued it’s not the place of the judiciary or the executive branch to tell legislators how to organize.