Disputed Senate ballots hold key to Minn. win

[Terri]

By PATRICK CONDON
Associated Press
November 21, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A recount watchdog for Norm Coleman flagged a ballot because the voter put a check next to Al Franken's name instead of blacking in the oval. A Franken monitor challenged an apparent vote for Coleman because Franken's name was also marked. And representatives of both men invoked challenges because of marks elsewhere on the ballot that could make them identifiable.

The pile of disputed ballots in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is growing at a pace sure to dwarf the 215-vote margin prior to the recount, making it tough to tell whether Coleman, the Republican incumbent, or Franken, his Democratic challenger, is gaining an edge as the recount progresses.

After two days of counting, results reported Thursday to the secretary of state showed Coleman's advantage over Franken fading. Compared with pre-recount figures, Franken trails Coleman by 129 votes.

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[thomas]

Gosh, I wonder if such a fuss is ever made over a few military absentee ballots? The more I think about it, the more I wonder if this country and especially Minis000000ta dosen't deserve Frankin.
The Old Chief

[candles]

many of FL. military votes went uncounted because the envelope had a smeared post mark.

A recount watchdog for Norm Coleman flagged a ballot because the voter put a check next to Al Franken's name instead of blacking in the oval.

Did this happen on the whole ballot?! People need to learn to follow directions; on our ballots here in MI a example was given an oval was colored in. If this is the case the check mark should not count as a vote.

[oldjules]

My wife was on a recount board a couple times. Many times it pays for your candidate if you show tenacity in counting the ones you like and throwing out the ones you don't like.
She is a stubborn Republican.