The number of ballot challenges in the U.S. Senate recount surged again on Monday, passing 3,000 overall and clouding the question of who’s picking up ground in the hotly contested race. [Strib]
This means, of course, that there’s no way to figure this one out until after the challenged ballots are ruled on by the Canvassing Board. That is, unless one of the two candidates magically manages to increase their margin by over 3000 votes in the last 22% to be recounted… not likely. So, one of the huge questions remaining then is how frivolous each sides’ challenges are. Will the difference in the quality of their challenged ballots be enough to alter the pre-challenged-ballot recount tally? Minnpost notes:
Late today, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann told MinnPost that as part of Wednesday’s Canvassing Board meeting, there will be a discussion about how to reduce the challenges. Ritchie could direct his staff to talk with both campaigns to reduce the pile.
Also to be addressed at Wednesday’s meeting, the lingering issue of rejected absentee ballots…
Point being, as efficiently as this recount is going, there’s going to be quite a bit left to do after the ticker on the Secretary of State’s recount website hits 100%.
BIG BLOW FOR ANGRY AL
Today, Wednesday, “The five-member state Canvassing Board denied a request by Franken’s campaign to reconsider absentee ballots it claims were excluded from the initial vote count because of technicalities or administrative errors”
The board’s voice vote was unanimous.
Two Supreme Court justices, two district judges and the secretary of state make up the board.
Ouch, That’s gotta hurt.
Since the board didn’t deny the merits of Franken’s complaint, it is more of a “setback” than a “blow.”
The board was simply acknowledging that the decision was not in their purview. Thanks for the concern, though, peanut.
Frankens own attorney said likely… most..if not all were properly rejected…Moot point me thinks.