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Franken Sues for Records of Rejected Voters

Coleman leads Minn. race by 206 votes, calls suit 'shameless'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2008 7:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Senate hopeful Al Franken is suing Minnesota counties to get the names and addresses of locals whose absentee ballots were rejected, the Star Tribune reports. Franken’s team is sweeping the state for such information in an effort to cut GOP Sen. Norm Coleman’s current 206-vote lead. A full state recount begins next week in the race, which could tip the balance of power in the Senate.

Two counties refused to comply with Franken’s request, spurring the lawsuit. Coleman’s campaign said Franken was “shamelessly trying to strong-arm local officials into counting invalid ballots.” A state official, meanwhile, said the law is clear: the rejected ballots won't be included in the hand recount.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., claims victory in his reelection bid as his wife Laurie, left, looks on during a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.
Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., claims victory in his reelection bid as his wife Laurie, left, looks on during a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken shakes hands with supporters after speaking at the Democratic election night party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken shakes hands with supporters after speaking at the Democratic election night party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie listens to a question during a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn., ahead of a statewide vote recount.
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie listens to a question during a news conference Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn., ahead of a statewide vote recount.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Shannonals
Nov 16, 2008 6:21 AM CST
Well, since someome brought up Michelle Bachmann, she won the election, but I don't recall, (and I also asked around), seeing her name on the ballot
jaguarj
Nov 15, 2008 10:57 PM CST
Shannon...she is from the 6th Dist. so if you are not in that Dist. I don't believe she would have been on your ballot.
Guest
Nov 13, 2008 9:03 PM CST
What about Murtha who called his constituents "racist" and later aplogized b/c he meant to call them "rednecks"?

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