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Minn. Board: Count Wrongly Rejected Ballots

Recommendation may help Franken surpass Coleman

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2008 2:49 PM CST
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(Newser) – In a victory for Al Franken, Minnesota officials voted unanimously today to recommend counting previously rejected absentee ballots, the Star Tribune reports. The state’s five-member Canvassing Board urged all 87 counties to count ballots that had been improperly discarded—a figure that could approach 1,600. Norm Coleman's camp is trying to block the move from taking place.

The comedian-turned-politician trails Republican incumbent Coleman by 192 votes. But inclusion of the rejected ballots, coupled with the board’s earlier decision to count 133 missing ballots from a Franken-friendly precinct, could overturn the race. “We are pleased that the state canvassing board has affirmed” that Minnesota “is not a state that disenfranchises its voters,” said Franken’s spokesman.

Election officials and representatives for Republican Incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken discuss disputed ballots to wrap up the first phase of the Senate recount.
Election officials and representatives for Republican Incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken discuss disputed ballots to wrap up the first phase of the Senate recount.   (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)
Al Franken's campaign won two key rulings today that may help him overcome a tiny deficit against Sen. Norm Coleman in the Minnesota Senate recount.
Al Franken's campaign won two key rulings today that may help him overcome a tiny deficit against Sen. Norm Coleman in the Minnesota Senate recount.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Sen. Norm Coleman leads challenger Al Franken by 192 votes, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's official count.
Sen. Norm Coleman leads challenger Al Franken by 192 votes, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's official count.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Kelly Kappes wheels in boxes of Norman County ballots for the Norm Coleman-Al Franken USSenate race recount held in Ada, Minn.
Kelly Kappes wheels in boxes of Norman County ballots for the Norm Coleman-Al Franken USSenate race recount held in Ada, Minn.   (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack)
Minnesota's Canvassing Board voted unanimously to ask election officials in all 87 counties to count the improperly rejected ballots.
Minnesota's Canvassing Board voted unanimously to ask election officials in all 87 counties to count the improperly rejected ballots.   (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Dec 12, 2008 10:45 PM CST
HANG IN THERE FELLOW MINNESOTANS. WE WILL FINALLY HAVE SOMEONE HONEST AND TRUST WORTHY RECLAIMING PAUL WELLSTONE'S SENATE SEAT.

Franken voters say their votes were wrongly rejected
New York Times

Voters had ballots rejected 'through no fault of their own'
The Hill

 
Norm Coleman • Minnesota • vote • Al Franken • Senate race • Election 2008 • recount

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