New business filings in Minnesota are on track for an all-time record this year. In the first eight months of the year, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reports there were 42,935 new business filings -- that's 4,772 more than the same period last year.

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie's changes to the title that will appear over the marriage amendment on the fall ballot came under attack in papers filed with the state Supreme Court. Lawyers for Republican lawmakers and other backers of the amendment say Ritchie's changes will make voters less likely to approve the Constitutional amendment. They also argue that it's up to the Legislature - not the Secretary of State - to write the title. A hearing before the court is coming up later this month.

Minnesota's Secretary of State Mark Ritchie told WCCO on Sunday that St. Louis County could delay statewide Election Day results more than previous elections. Ritchie said three write-in candidates looking to replace former state Rep. Kerry Gauthier will have to be hand counted. “We estimate that this may go to 1 a.m., 2 a.m., perhaps a little bit longer, in the morning,” he said.

Each side is digging in in the fight over the titles of the proposed Constitutional amendments that will appear on Minnesota's fall ballot. Attorney General Lori Swanson filed papers with the Supreme Court insisting it's up to the Secretary of State to come up with the titles. Meanwhile, a Senate committee scheduled a Friday hearing to question Secretary of State Mark Ritchie about his changes to the titles suggested by the Legislature.

After consultation with archdiocese officials, a Roman Catholic church in Minneapolis has rescinded a speaking invitation for Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who is at the center of controversies surrounding constitutional amendments on this fall's ballot.

Voter turnout has been steady and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says he expects that Minnesota will once again rank No. 1 in voter turnout among the states. Minnesota has been at the top of that list 12 times in the last 16 elections, the Christian Science Monitor says. Here's a quick round-up of what things looked like at the polls today.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has submitted the title “Limiting the Status of Marriage to Opposite Sex Couples" to Attorney General Lori Swanson for final approval, the Associated Press reports. Supporters of the constitutional amendment want it titled, "Recognition of Marriage Solely Between One Man and One Woman."

News that Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has been uninvited to speak at a south Minneapolis Catholic church may be premature, according to church officials. Ritchie was scheduled to talk before mass on Aug. 12 at St. Joan of Arc. A spokesman for the archdiocese had reportedly said that invitation was being rescinded over Ritchie's efforts to change wording of the proposed marriage amendment.