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Minn. Recount Will Push Into New Year

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 24, 2008 11:52 AM CST

(Newser) – The Minnesota recount will not be complete until next year and could be continuing even as the new Senate is sworn in, Minnesota Public Radio reports. A plan agreed to by both the Coleman and Franken camps has the secretary of state counting wrongly rejected absentee ballots by January 4, after which both candidates can appeal to the Canvassing Board. The Senate is sworn in January 6.

Even after those decisions, court challenges are likely. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said he was unconcerned by the prospect of a vacant seat in the Senate. “Our top priority is accuracy and transparency and the timing thing is just not our issue,” he said. “We don't care when it's done.” Meanwhile, both campaigns are still wrangling over challenged ballots and disputed vote allocations in the final tally.

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (1)]

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. (AP Photo)

Al Franken. (AP Photo)

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. (AP Photo)

State Election Director Gary Pose, second from left, along with Democratic and Republican observers. (AP Photo)

An election judge is surrounded by observers as she sorts ballots by candidate during the ballot recount in the US Senate race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. (AP Photo)

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Our top priority is accuracy and transparency, and the timing thing is just not our issue. I want to put an underline, we don't care as long as it's accurate and we've done it in an accurate and transparent way.
- Minn. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie

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