Norm Coleman's chances to overturn the announced 225 vote edge for Al Franken of the Minnesota Senate race got a life saving shot in the arm.
The Minnesota trial judges assigned to the Coleman filed recount trial have decided allow 4,800 rejected absentee ballots to be re-evaluated.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/38890229.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU
Signing off...JCB
Sphere: Related Content
Showing posts with label recount. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recount. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
MN Senate Recount Trial: Day 2
The trial disputing the approved recount of the MN Senate election of 2008, by the MN Canvassing Board, has entered Day 2. All signs point to an elongated trial process to review and contest the recount procedures.
Today, Norm Coleman brought forward individual voters whose absentee ballots were rejected to ask the court to include their votes.
Signing off...JCB
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/38452259.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUec7PaP3E77K_0c::D3aDhUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090128/D95VS4P82.html Sphere: Related Content
Today, Norm Coleman brought forward individual voters whose absentee ballots were rejected to ask the court to include their votes.
Signing off...JCB
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/38452259.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUec7PaP3E77K_0c::D3aDhUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090128/D95VS4P82.html Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Coleman outlines court challenges
Norm Coleman's legal challenge to the announced recount totals favoring Al Franken by the Canvassing Board appears to be proceeded in a staged approach. As presented to the 3 judge panel appointed to hear the case, the review of disputed absentee ballots would be the initial stage.
Proceeding to follow-on stages would require "a sufficient number of votes" changing from Franken to Coleman.
Some follow-on stages:
Proceeding to follow-on stages would require "a sufficient number of votes" changing from Franken to Coleman.
Some follow-on stages:
- Investigating the ballots from Minneapolis that election officials say went missing
- Review ballots with "questionable voter intent"
- Review whether some voters had more than one ballot counted (a separate legal case is being filed by Coleman supporters on approximately 150 ballots)
If the panel of judges adopts the proposed schedule in Coleman's challenge an outcome isn't expected until March. Franken is proposing a more aggressive timetable to address these same challenges.
Signing off...JCB
Sphere: Related ContentMonday, January 12, 2009
Coleman is all in!
Norm Coleman is going all in with his legal challenge to the Senate election in Minnesota. Rightfully so!
There are several recounting irregularities that could change the outcome of this recount. From missing ballots, to double counting, to absentee ballot rejection criteria, to handwriting and signature verification. The list goes on and on.
Neither side will be happy with the outcome unless they have a special election. Something that is highly unlikely at this point.
More to come...
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
There are several recounting irregularities that could change the outcome of this recount. From missing ballots, to double counting, to absentee ballot rejection criteria, to handwriting and signature verification. The list goes on and on.
Neither side will be happy with the outcome unless they have a special election. Something that is highly unlikely at this point.
More to come...
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
Monday, January 5, 2009
No Franken Way!
The Minnesota state Canvassing Board appears ready to announce Al Franken as the winner of the 2008 Senatorial election over Norm Coleman. The latest media reports show a 225 vote lead for Franken. The December 30th report from the office of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) shows a 49 vote lead for Franken.
According to Minnesota state law, an election cannot be certified if there is pending litigation challenging the outcome of the election. The Canvassing Board and SECSTATE Ritchie can announce Franken as the winner of the recount but that does not complete the process.
Coleman has file a lawsuit over 650 duplicate ballots that were improperly rejected. He may pursue a case against broader counting errors and the process all together. As today's WSJ points out, there is some funny business in the counting results. "...one Canvassing Board member, State Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson, has acknowledged that "very likely there was a double counting." Yet the board insists that it lacks the authority to question local officials..."
Until this litigation is settled, SECSTATE Mark Ritchie is bound by law to withhold Certification. I will not be surprised if he proceeds in contradiction. However, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) also has to sign the official Certification, which I doubt he will do unless there is absolute determination of the victor.
Meanwhile, as of this past Saturday Senator Coleman's term has expired and seat is now vacant. So the Democratic Senators, most notably Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), want to seat Al Franken until the vacancy is filled. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has said "Sen. Schumer's exultations are premature to say the least." and promises to filibuster any attempt to fill seat without state certification.
I am impressed! I figured it would take the Democrats at least 3 months to draw their divisive line in the sand. This will be the catalyst for Republican backlash against their power playing. Queue the filibusters! The honeymoon of working together under a new administration is over before it starts. Thank you!!
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
According to Minnesota state law, an election cannot be certified if there is pending litigation challenging the outcome of the election. The Canvassing Board and SECSTATE Ritchie can announce Franken as the winner of the recount but that does not complete the process.
Coleman has file a lawsuit over 650 duplicate ballots that were improperly rejected. He may pursue a case against broader counting errors and the process all together. As today's WSJ points out, there is some funny business in the counting results. "...one Canvassing Board member, State Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson, has acknowledged that "very likely there was a double counting." Yet the board insists that it lacks the authority to question local officials..."
Until this litigation is settled, SECSTATE Mark Ritchie is bound by law to withhold Certification. I will not be surprised if he proceeds in contradiction. However, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) also has to sign the official Certification, which I doubt he will do unless there is absolute determination of the victor.
Meanwhile, as of this past Saturday Senator Coleman's term has expired and seat is now vacant. So the Democratic Senators, most notably Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), want to seat Al Franken until the vacancy is filled. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has said "Sen. Schumer's exultations are premature to say the least." and promises to filibuster any attempt to fill seat without state certification.
I am impressed! I figured it would take the Democrats at least 3 months to draw their divisive line in the sand. This will be the catalyst for Republican backlash against their power playing. Queue the filibusters! The honeymoon of working together under a new administration is over before it starts. Thank you!!
Signing off...JCB Sphere: Related Content
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