Minnesota News

By BOB VON STERNBERG and GLENN HOWATT, Star Tribune staff writers

There are scribbles. There are check-offs and cross-outs. There are self-drawn ovals. There are ballots left completely blank. There are arrows sketched in by voters who apparently miss an older form of ballot. And, occasionally, there is commentary, like the voter who scrawled "GOD!!!" above the names of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and his Democratic challenger, Al Franken.

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

The state Canvassing Board dealt Democrat Al Franken's campaign a serious blow today when it rejected the campaign's call to review rejected absentee ballots. Franken's attorneys have argued that many absentee ballots were inappropriately set aside and should be included in the recount.

St. Paul, Minn. (AP) — The Canvassing Board hearing lasted only an hour, but the action taken could mean that Minnesota's already long U.S. Senate race could be headed to the courts for an extended overtime.

With this well-tested procedure, we might get not only better elections but also better campaigns.

By DAVID DURENBERGER

Mankota Free Press

No one was anticipating action-packed excitement, and in that regard, the recount of 2.9 million ballots to determine the official winner of the U.S. Senate race does not disappoint.

Which is pretty much what Minnesotans expected, but nonetheless, are relieved to see. All the brouhaha surrounding the impending recount was getting to be a bit much. And that’s likely the reaction of many voters whether they voted for Republican Sen. Norm Coleman or his challenger, Democrat Al Franken.

By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE and the ASSOCIATED PRESS , Star Tribune

The weekend isn't bringing any respite in the Minnesota Senate recount.

Ballots in the ultra-close race between Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken are being counted in at least three counties today.

Fifty-three counties have reported complete results to the secretary of state, meaning fewer than three dozen remain. As of Friday night, at least 60 percent of the estimated 2.9 million ballots had gotten a second look.

by Than Tibbetts, MPR

Lizard People ballotI found this document from the Secretary of State's office that, I believe, is meant to be a guide for election officials. The language is a little more plain than the state's voter intent statute.

Here's the key sentence that solves our Lizard People ballot question:

Count all printed names with a mark made opposite them and all names written-in, not exceeding the number to be elected for that office.

by Than Tibbetts, Minnesota Public Radio

Representatives from the campaigns of Sen. Norm Coleman and Al Franken have been challenging ballots across the state.

It's your turn to play election judge. Tell us how you would rule in the case of these challenged ballots. Use this Minnesota state statute as your guide.

DAY 3 BALLOTS

Ballot #1: The Signature

by Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio,
Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

Election officials throughout Minnesota have begun recounting nearly three million ballots to determine who won the U.S. Senate race. As local officials hand count those ballots, representatives from the campaigns of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and DFLer Al Franken are closely watching, ready to challenge any decisions they disagree with.

By Jay Weiner, MinnPost.com

This whole recount thing just started to bother former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger.

So he joined with a gaggle of other current and former public officials of all political stripes this morning to outline a short list of “principles for transparency” as the Coleman-Franken recount gets ready to blast off Wednesday.

St. Paul, MN – November 14, 2008 – Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota (CEIMN), League of Women Voters Minnesota, and Common Cause Minnesota are working in coalition as the only non-partisan observers of Minnesota’s 2008 election recount.