Governor Mark Dayton is calling for a union vote among daycare workers. He’s issuing an executive order paving the way for the vote. State officials say the vote’s results should be tabulated before Christmas. Republican lawmakers say the order exceeds the governor’s power and plan to challenge its legality.

The judge issued a restraining order preventing the union election Dayton had authorized last month. Opponents argued Dayton didn't have the power to order an election.

The vote is restricted to those who receive state subsidies to care for children. Opponents say if there's going to be a vote, everyone should be included.

In two weeks, child care workers will vote on whether or not to unionize. But a meeting Monday revealed many unanswered questions for the state's 11,000 day care providers.

About 11,000 self-employed providers who run child care businesses in their homes want the ability to unionize. But it has pitted Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton against legislative Republicans seeking to curb organized labor.

MPR News reports the governor says he won't issue an order that would automatically enroll child care providers into a union, but would rather they chose for themselves. Republicans are against the move, saying Dayton doesn't have the authority to make such a call.