Official: Lost Ballots Could Be Restored In Final Count, Giving Boost To Franken

[babsbunny]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/official_lost_ballots_could_be.php

By Eric Kleefeld - December 5, 2008, 12:39PM

So what exactly happens if that missing envelope from Minneapolis, which is believed to contain 133 votes that heavily favored Al Franken, is simply never found? Could the recount just be certified without it?

A state official just confirmed to Election Central that the state does have an option: Including the Election Night total instead for this particular precinct.

This could be big for Franken: If the state avails itself of this option to give the candidates their Election Night vote numbers instead of the recounted ones in this precinct, Franken would avoid losing a net 46 votes if they were disregarded -- a scenario that otherwise could potentially give the election to Coleman.

[EconomicLiberal]

1. Great news!

Let's hope so. :)

[MineralMan]

2. I think they'd have to do that.

Since those votes were counted in the initial count, the loss of the actual ballots should be disregarded and the original count from that precinct should be used. I have no doubt that the election board will so decide.

[LibDemAlways]

3. I don't see how they could justify disenfranchising 113

voters whose votes were initially counted. I'm sure Franken's lawyers aren't going to let that happen.