Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, wrote a letter to Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday calling on him to halt an election that began Monday in which independent childcare providers who receive state money are deciding whether to form a union.

Republicans have long opposed the attempt to unionize the childcare providers who receive state money from the childcare assistance program, or CCAP, for low-income children.

The childcare providers would be joining AFSCME, which is a powerful DFL constituency.

Mack says the Department of Human Services and Dept. of Mediation Services, which are administering the election, have misinterpreted the election statute and in the process eliminated some providers from the voter list, thereby disenfranchising them.

Ballots were received Monday, according to providers.

This story is developing.