Minnesota Recount thread

[notverycrucial]

After first day of recount in the Minnesota Senate race, Democratic challenger Al Franken has gained 43 votes on GOP incumbent Norm Coleman in a race that would give Democrats a 59th Senate seat. Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight.com has the latest:

According to data just released by the Minnesota Secretary of State, Al Franken has gained a net of 43 votes on the first day of that state's recount process. Norm Coleman had a lead of 215 voters over Franken in Minnesota's certified, pre-recount tally; that margin is now 172 votes.

Minnesota reports that it has thus far recounted 15.49 percent of its ballots. If the first day's results are indicative of the pace that the candidates will maintain throughout the recount process, Franken would gain a net of 278 votes over Colmean, giving him a narrow victory. For any number of reasons, however, the results reported thus far may not be indicative of future trends.

My prediction (posted earlier) still stands: Franken edges out Coleman by less than 20 votes. Brooks Brothers Riot II ensues.

[TennTradition]

This could get crazy. If the dems pick this seat up they are going to be too close for comfort to a supermajority. Can you imagine the hell that will be raised in Georgia if this seat is the deciding factor? And...Harry Reid will be very happy with how he handled the Lieberman situation. I didn't think it would get this close...

[notverycrucial]

Originally Posted by TennTradition

This could get crazy. If the dems pick this seat up they are going to be too close for comfort to a supermajority. Can you imagine the hell that will be raised in Georgia if this seat is the deciding factor? And...Harry Reid will be very happy with how he handled the Lieberman situation. I didn't think it would get this close...

I didn't either. Before the election, I predicted a 57/58 Dem majority. I never thought 60 was a remote possibility.

[rjd970]

As it stands with Minnesota and Georgia still up for grabs, the dems are at 58 now, correct?

[GAVol]

Yes

[volinbham]

The "found" votes for Franken are suspicious - amazing how the 2000 conspiracy theorists have completely reversed course on this one - actually not amazing at all. I'm sure Joe Kennedy is concerned about voter fraud here as he was 2000...

Minnesota is about to screw the country with a hack like Franken - I know they elected Ventura but as a governor he is state focused - this choice will affect the entire country.

[notverycrucial]

Originally Posted by volinbham

The "found" votes for Franken are suspicious - amazing how the 2000 conspiracy theorists have completely reversed course on this one - actually not amazing at all. I'm sure Joe Kennedy is concerned about voter fraud here as he was 2000...

Minnesota is about to screw the country with a hack like Franken - I know they elected Ventura but as a governor he is state focused - this choice will affect the entire country.

Lots of people (read Republicans) think the vote is being stolen in Minnesota. But there's no evidence of this. It's a state with an extremely clean reputation as far as elections go (unlike Florida). Besides, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty already came out and said nothing fishy was going on. Let's see how the first recount goes before we start rioting. If Coleman is ahead and they decide to do another recount, then it's time to start worrying.

[notverycrucial]

BTW, here are some of the challenged ballots, if anyone wants to play along at home and judge for yourself.

Challenged ballots: You be the judge

My personal favorite... "Lizard People"

[utvolpj]

those ballots should really dispel the myth of everyone needing a vote. Not to mention the arguments from all sides are so absolutely stupid

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by notverycrucial

Lots of people (read Republicans) think the vote is being stolen in Minnesota. But there's no evidence of this. It's a state with an extremely clean reputation as far as elections go (unlike Florida). Besides, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty already came out and said nothing fishy was going on. Let's see how the first recount goes before we start rioting. If Coleman is ahead and they decide to do another recount, then it's time to start worrying.

so if Coleman wins twice, we're good. What if Franken wins one and Coleman wins one, do we need a rubber count?

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

so if Coleman wins twice, we're good. What if Franken wins one and Coleman wins one, do we need a rubber count?

if Franken wins Congress won't wear one

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by utvolpj

if Franken wins Congress won't wear one

well played.

[droski]

Originally Posted by utvolpj

those ballots should really dispel the myth of everyone needing a vote. Not to mention the arguments from all sides are so absolutely stupid

as i said in a different thread the people of minnesota have clearly showed the right to vote should be taken from them immediately.

[notverycrucial]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

so if Coleman wins twice, we're good. What if Franken wins one and Coleman wins one, do we need a rubber count?

Technically, nobody has won anything. The results aren't certified as the counting has not been completed. Minnesota state law calls for an automatic recount when the results fall within one-half of one percent, or within the margin of error for voting equipment. Almost all of Franken pickups came from one precinct that had older optical scan equipment which had missed many legitimate votes when the ballots were first scanned. If Coleman is ahead when the votes are finally certified, I'd say he is the winner. Until then, he is merely ahead.

[volinbham]

Originally Posted by notverycrucial

BTW, here are some of the challenged ballots, if anyone wants to play along at home and judge for yourself.

Challenged ballots: You be the judge

My personal favorite... "Lizard People"

Shows the problem of determining voter intent. Unless only one choice is indicated, throw it out.