what happened. CNN: Coleman up 188

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Guess I stopped watching this. Last time I looked, Franken was up 5.

There are still all the disputeds and those absentee ballots out.

But the pure recount didn't yield much, did it?

[w4rma]

1. Coleman has about 1,000 challenges, Franken has about 500. (nt)

[Eric J in MN]

2. Franken is trailing in the official count but his campaign predicts he'll win. NT

NT

[creeksneakers2]

3. The candidates withdrew 1000s of challenges

So the original county level decisions on those ballots stand. Out of the 1000s, we don't know how many went to Franken, how many went to Coleman, and how many were categorized as votes for neither. The 1000s of challenged ballots are not included in the most recent tally that has Coleman ahead by 188 votes.

Meanwhile, the state canvassing board is in the slow process of reviewing the challenges that weren't withdrawn. They are doing Franken's challenges first, and since most challenges are overruled, this part adds to Coleman's tally. Next the board will review Coleman's challenges and that part should benefit Franken. Since Coleman has close to 1000 challenges and Franken has less than 500, I suspect this part of the process will benefit Franken, since he has less to lose. But the remaining withdrawn challenge votes are more significant to who is ahead.

Then they have to fight out about improperly rejected absentee ballots which could number around 1,500, if they wind up being counted at all. Then Franken has challenged results that were previously recounted in dozens of precincts for wrongful election procedures.

I can see why you quit following this, and yes, the overall lead that's counted hasn't changed significantly for weeks. We'll probably find out who won in a month or two, if that result isn't challenged.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. thank you SO much for this excellent recap !

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. Those were the campaign's internal numbers. He was never officially up 5.

[kstewart33]

5. AP is also predicting a Franken win as is the

Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. really. that's great.