What is going on with the Minnesota senate race?

[ccharles000]

Is there any new info?

[Rhiannon12866]

1. This is the latest that I read. It seems to change by the day, very frustrating...

Senate recount: Minneapolis gives up on 133 ballots, but they still have pull
How they got away and deciding whether to count them are just some of the loose ends in the Franken-Coleman race.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/35728824.html

[PBS Poll-435]

2. Found a great thread in GD about this

Call it a citizen canvassing board, if you will.

The Star-Tribune of Minneapolis has the challenged ballots on their website.

Check out the thread and tell me what you think.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4613576&mesg_id=4613576

[HughMoran]

3. Thanks for the link

I hadn't seen that thread and the corresponding challenge at the Star-Tribune. Good stuff!

[PBS Poll-435]

4. You are so very welcome

I love the MN Senate race/recount/reshuffle!

THE DRAMA!

:P

[Skink]

5. Franken is getting even more cynical.

[goodhue]

6. The recount is done, the state canvassing board meets Friday and next week

The recounting at the local level finished last Friday. Here are the recount results. . .
http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/SenateRecount.asp

Because each campaign absurdly challenged over 3,000 ballots (many of which are crystal clear), which were not tallied as part of recount, we the public don't really have any idea who actually leads. The campaigns have since been withdrawing some challenges but that is not reflect in SOS results.

In any event, it is very close. Franken campaign claims it leads by 4 (!) votes. Coleman campaign asserts it still leads, and has all along, but won't get into specific numbers.

The state canvassing board will meet next week starting Tuesday Dec 16th to review and rule on challenges. They hope to conclude by the end of day on the 19th but will continue until done.

There are at least two other issues needing to be resolved, first by canvassing board and perhaps ultimately by a court.

First, there is the unresolved matter of one precinct in SE Minneapolis that lost one envelope (of 5) containing 133 ballots. This precinct is not included in recount results. The canvassing board COULD choose to just certify the election day count for this precinct. Franken needs these votes, and depends upon them for 4 vote claim. If canvassing board accepts initial count for this precinct, Coleman campaign could challenge in court. If not, then Franken probably goes to court.

Second, there is the matter of some unknown number of uncounted absentee ballots that should have been counted. There are four statutory bases to not count absentee ballots, and absentee ballots that went uncounted but don't fit one of these four categories, are known as the "Fifth Pile." The canvassing board will meet Friday to discuss what if anything they can or will do about the Fifth Pile. Some counties have sorted for fifth pile, others not. Fifth pile probably ends up in court. Franken really needs these to be counted but even then not clear they will necessarily break his way.

For best reporting on this whole recount thing read Jay Weiner of Minn Post: http://www.minnpost.com/