Here’s the scoop on recounts in Minnesota:
Four races are so close that they have triggered automatic recounts. State law requires a recount in races within a margin of victory of 0.5%..
At close of day on Thursday, Norm Coleman led Al Franken by 336 votes in the Senate race.
CORRECTION 11/9/08: Two Minnesota House races must have recounts. In District 12B up in Morrison County, DFL incumbent Al Doty leads Republican candidate Mike Lemieur by 76 votes. In District 16A, DFL candidate Gail Kulick Jackson leads Republican candidate Sondra Erickson by 99 votes. Minnesota Senate District 16 also must have a recount, as DFL candidate Lisa Fobbe leads Republican Alison Krueger by 85 votes. District 16 includes most of Sherburne County.
The State Canvassing Board, as specified by state law, will meet on November 18 to certify the election results. A recount cannot begin until after the board meets. The board will consist of Secretary of State Ritchie, two Minnesota Supreme Court justices, and two Minnesota district court judges to be determined. The legislative recount will take several days, and the Senate recount will take longer.
For more about the recount, see:
Secretary of State’s web site, which has complete election information.
Could Franken win? Coleman’s lead slips to 336 votes by Paul Schmelzer, Minnesota Independent
Problem-plagued ballot scanners could impact Coleman-Franken recount by Andy Birkey, Minnesota Independent
DFL gift basket on its way to Mark Olson by Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent
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