Coleman Claims 150 Ballots Were Double-Counted

Minn. board faces new hurdles as it resolves disputes in Senate race

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 18, 2008 9:25 AM CST

(Newser) – The Minnesota Senate recount is moving at a one-step-forward, two-steps-back pace, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports, with Republican Norm Coleman’s campaign saying 150 ballots were double-counted, and that the total tally needs to be adjusted by the Canvassing Board. The board, which is in the process of evaluating disputed ballots, says it doesn’t necessarily have the authority to judge Coleman’s claim.

“We have a very narrow function here,” says one board member. Challenger Al Franken’s campaign accuses Coleman of getting desperate as various rulings have cut into his lead. And board chairman Mark Ritchie just wants to move on quickly; the board will have to work 20 hours between this morning and its self-imposed deadline tomorrow for judging all challenged ballots.

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The Canvassing Board convenes Nov. 18, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo)

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie listens to a question during a news conference ahead of the Senate recount. (AP Photo)

Attorney Fritz Knaak represents Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in the recount process in the tight Minnesota US Senate race with Democrat Al Franken. (AP Photo)

Republican incumbent Norm Coleman's camp says some 150 ballots could have been counted twice in his US Senate race against Al Franken. (AP Photo)

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I think it's very likely there was double counting. - G. Barry Anderson, state Supreme Court Justice and Canvassing Board member

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Coleman Claims 150 Ballots Were Double-Counted