Coleman Rejects Election Judge's Vote

Minn. senator could beat Franken with veto strategy

By Ambreen Ali, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2008 8:00 AM CST

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Coleman Rejects Election Judge's Vote — An election director and campaign reps discuss disputed ballots to wrap up the first phase of the Senate recount this month. (AP Photo/Dawn Villella)

Norm Coleman rejected 37% of recount ballots in a blue Minnesota county this week, including that of an election judge, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Shirley Graham, who voted for Coleman, disputes a date discrepancy the senator used to deny her absentee vote. The state Supreme Court gave the candidates unilateral power to reject any ballot up for recount, a power the Republican camp has liberally exercised.

Of the 60 ballots rejected Monday, 59 were dumped by Coleman, who's "getting away with blocking ballots for asinine reasons," Nate Silver adds on FiveThirtyEight. Coleman may skew the recount by applying different standards in counties that favor Al Franken, he warns. And Franken can fight back by rejecting absentees in red counties, or contest the entire election.
(More Minnesota stories.)

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