Missing ballots in MN?

Posted: Monday, November 24, 2008 6:02 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's John Talty
In the hotly contested Minnesota Senate recount, missing ballots could provide another source of rancor between the two candidates. In a Franken camp teleconference call this afternoon, lead recount attorney Marc Elias stressed the need to find missing ballots and encouraged the Minnesota Secretary of State's office to take an active role in the process.

“Missing ballots aren’t automatically an indication of foul play, but it should be a serious matter of concern,” Elias said. “We hope and call on the Secretary of State to issue clear instructions on all counties so that these ballots may be found and properly counted.”

Elias provided examples in both Clay County and St. Louis County, in which the amount of ballots cast on November 4th does not match up with the amount of ballots produced for reconsideration in the recount. He also continued to assert that the difference between Al Franken (D) and incumbent Norm Coleman remains in only the double digits.

In a senatorial race where every single vote matters, a handful of missing votes in Clay or St. Louis County could ultimately make the difference, Franken's attorney reminded reporters.

“We know this is an election that is down to double digits out of 2.9 million votes cast,” Elias said. “In an election this close, we cannot let any lawful vote go uncounted.”

Today's call comes in advance of a Wednesday meeting of the two camps with the Minnesota Canvassing Board to discuss whether rejected absentee ballots will be reconsidered. While unsure of exactly how things would go on Wednesday, Elias reiterated a point that he has made during the entire recount process stating, “…if a Minnesota resident cast a lawful ballot then it should be counted,” including the contested absentee ballots.

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Comments

Oh, Jeez, are ALL Secretaries of State as incompetent as Colorado's (Mike Coffman) or what? Wouldn't you think they'd have validated the number of votes cast per precinct equals the number of ballots made available for a recount?

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 6:23 PM)

go al.v need u in senate to make this country better for the future generations.two more to a filibuster proof majority.dem 4 life

sam (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 6:27 PM)

I think Full Moon took the ballots and hid them in his basement, next to the Cheetos.

Priscella Presley (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 6:48 PM)

Two words......."Al Franken". This is hillarious! Minnesota may put Al Franken in the US Senate! Way to go Minnesota.............

Darron Thomas Bogalusa, Louisiana (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 6:51 PM)

Have they checked the janitor's closet or the Secretary of State's secretary's desk drawer yet? These so-called "missing" ballots that just materialize out of nowhere are very troubling. Any time chain of custody is breached, it is a troubling thing. How do we know that the "missing" ballots are even valid?

Brenda, Marietta, Georgia (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 7:27 PM)

WHAT!? You mean that the GOP may actually be trying to SUPPRESS THE VOTE!? Who'da thunk it?

57 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 7:34 PM)

That lady from Florida who fell into a bowl of make-up must have overnighted in Minnesota.

scott, lithonia, ga. (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 7:41 PM)

Is there any doubt to what is going on in Minnesota? Franken has been making up votes since Day 1 after the election. The biggest question asked about the vote by Democrats in Minnesota is 'How many do you need?'

Voter Fraud (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 8:29 PM)

Now here's a complete shocker. I am sure they will turn up. And did anyone else notice that they never did go back and correct the 'report' that some ballots were in someone's car. Didn't Tim Pawlenty come right out and say that was an unverified story?

Funny how this stuff goes 'round and 'round. Interesting to hear that some ballots are outright 'missing'. I'm sure no one would ever try to 'steal' an election. Ok, I am dripping with sarcasm. Hope they figure it out soon!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 8:55 PM)

Of course the ballots should be counted

Charles Rendina, Bellingham, Wash (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 9:02 PM)

HECK FRANKEN BASICALLY HAS THIS WRAPPED UP AND THANK GOODNESS HE DOES,, BUT THE REPUBLICAN SCARE TACTICS AND FEAR MONGERING DIDNT WORK FOR JOHN MCCAIN AND THEY SURE AS HECK WONT WORK FOR MR AL COLEMAN, AND AL FRANKEN WILL WIN MAYBE NOT BY A LANDSLIDE BUT HE WILL WIN BECAUSE AMERICANS ARE MAD OF THE STATUS REPUBLICAN QUO OF GW BUSH AND HIS PARTY, SO FRANKEN BRING IT ON AND WELCOME TO THE SENATE!!!! AND MR COLEMAN ON THAT NOTE THIS IS NOT 2000 WHEN BUSH CHEATED AND WON BARELY YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK THIS TIME MY FRIEND!!!!

GREG REMINGTON (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 9:20 PM)

Missing Ballots are just another indicator of our innefective voting system. While I applaud the Patriotism of the Voters who stood in lines for several hours to vote, is anyone doing something to change a broken system?

President Obama should task the Governors or a bipartisan Federal panel to establish an effective voting system for this Country. The goal is to ensure every vote counts, register voters accurately and make it easier for every voter to vote. It will not change unless we force our representatives to do it.

Develop a universal ballot format and a standardized method of counting them. We certainly have had enough experience on what does not work.

Get rid of the obsolete voting on Tuesday. Declare a Federal Holiday on a Monday in November and have the polls open for 24 hours or until every voter has voted.

Standardize an effective early voting system for all states and establish a fair and accurate voter registration system.

Dennis Boyle, Dallas, Texas (Sent Monday, November 24, 2008 11:11 PM)

they're in the same trash can as the white house emails

asdf (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:12 AM)

We all know Coleman is a piece of garbage. He's not fit to pick up dog poop. But ultimately, he is going to win since Minnesota has always been a trash state. These people are beyond stupid (except for Alaska and Bigot Central South Carolina). It's time to dig into his background and expose his forgotten "child pornography" scandal and expose him for the complete piece of garbage that he is.

Santa Fe, NM (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:47 AM)

i know why not just have a re vote if its this bad . the alternitive is a dem or repub will steal the election either franken or coleman.

bernard mahoney (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:18 AM)

i dont like the tought of anyone stealing this election either coleman or franken its turned into a damm discrace . one of those two will steal thia senate seat . no wonder im an independant.

bernard mahoney (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:20 AM)

What?! Are you trying to say that the GOP in MN is trying to (gasp) SUPPRESS THE VOTE?! Whodathunkit?

56 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 7:22 AM)

Franken is challenging almost every ballot that is even clearly marked as a vote for his opponent. I want this clown to lose so bad I can taste it.

Spinout (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:18 AM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:06 AM)

"Standardize an effective early voting system for all states and establish a fair and accurate voter registration system."
-Dennis Boyle, Dallas, Texas
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You hit the nail on the head Dennis! We need NATIONWIDE voting reform - all of these shennanigans are just ridiculous.

As the wise woman Beyonce one said, time to UPGRADE! :)

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:16 AM)

There were three candidates for Senate in Minnesota. One of the three was an independant who garnered a significant number of votes. I would suggest they vote again but only between Frankin and Coleman. Since the vote is this close call it a tie and revote. The winner of that vote wins. Some of the indi voters would have to decide between the two and since there would be only those two one is likely to get more votes than the other. If it does happen to be a virtual tie again they can flip a coin and the winner of the coin toss is the Junior Senator from Minnesota.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:18 AM)

It doesn't suprise me, after all Jesse Ventura, former MN governor was a pro wrestler. If Al Franken can do a better job than Norm Coleman than he deserves the chance.

TA in Phoenix AZ (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:19 AM)

What a GOP/RNC mess! They love to cause mass confusion anyway they can. Their tactic of "distract-attack" is still one of the plays they love to run. The "Masters of Misinformation" working for the GOP in Minnesota. Are not going to let Frankin win at any cost because, the GOP/RNC has lost so much already. That is fact!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:20 AM)

Whoa, Santa Fe. Hold on just a minute before referring to MN as a "trash state." If you look at the first vote count in this particular senate race, you'll find that the majority of Minnesotans did NOT vote for Norm Coleman; they either picked Franken or Barkley. The fact that MN is able to produce an independent candidate of such quality as Barkley is, in my mind, a fantastic attribute that you'd be hard pressed to find in many other states. Notice also how our SoS has been working tirelessly, both pre- and post-election, to make sure that everyone who wanted to vote could and to make the process secure and safe.

Don't judge everyone by the actions of Coleman, the Coleman campaign, or those who voted for Coleman. As you can plainly see, they are not the majority here.

Lacy, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:21 AM)

Being from Minnesota I think this is what elections are all about. We love our politics exciting. Where else in this country can we have one house of our legislature Democratic one Republican and have a professional Wrestler as an Independent Governor. I know people on both sides that switched and voted for the other candidate. I think politics here is the best.

Greg, Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:22 AM)

As we near the end of the "Plague Years", the nefariousness of the inquisitional Dubya pogroms continue. A last morsel of Election tampering happens in Viking territory and is aimed at 'the 13th Warrior', Al Franken. Doesn't the GOP realize that they are messing with the bones thrown by the Olde Hagge in Shakopee? Woe to the Republicans, should Al not be allowed this journey by underhanded means. Woe, Woe, Woe.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:45 AM)

This is a mess. When all is said and done with the cost for the recount, attorney's fees battling over what votes will count and what votes will not as well as additional challeneges that will cost the taxpayers money why not just have a complete new vote. Georgia which is having a second (new) vote for their Senator will have a Senator and at less cost before this Minnesota mess is over. Watch and see.
C A, Tuscaloosa, AL

The answers simply Georgia law requires a run off if one candidate fails to earb 50% +1 vote. Minnesota doesn't, had the Georgis vote occurred in Minnesota, and most other states Chambliss would have won, because he beat Martin (by several %). Minnesota law requires a recount when the margin is so small. The missing ballots in St. Louis county were found, they were back in the orginal box, and due to static cling had stuck to the sides.

I'm not a fan of Minnesota, and loved seeing the Golden Gophers get crushed in their final game ever in the Metrodome, but Minnesota is not a trash state as Santa Fe, NM states, not only is it a beautiful state, the work ethic of the people, and the education level is in the top 5 in the country. The recount will be fair.

Not a Gopher Fan (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:11 AM)

But ultimately, he is going to win since Minnesota has always been a trash state. These people are beyond stupid
------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure you see yourself as quite the expert on all things Minnesota, but please don't describe my state that way. We have a proud tradition of Minnesota nice and voting ethics that haven't been questioned until the product of ACORN, Mark Ritchie, came into the picture.

Charlotte, Arden Hills Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:15 AM)

As long as this race isn't stolen, or cheating going on, hopefully the recount will help. As far as where the missing ballots are - how can ballots go missing? Aren't they cared for by election judges who are supposed to be trustworthy? There has to be a better way of voting (country wide) so none of this can occur. From the looks of some of those ballots in question - how could anyone (election judge, or other) really tell who the voter was selecting? Some of these looked pretty iffy with marks by both names.

Marcia Gerber, Moline, IL (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:18 AM)

I agree with Lacy, Minneapolis. And to Santa Fe, take a breath. Minnesota is no "trash state" - we are among the most highly educated in the country. The fear tactics don't work here - from either side. That's why its close. This recount is going exactly as dictated by statute and Minnesotans, by and large, are willing to wait it out. All of the drama is coming from outsiders.

Lynette, Northfield MN (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:34 AM)

Franken is challenging almost every ballot that is even clearly marked as a vote for his opponent. I want this clown to lose so bad I can taste it.

Spinout (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:18 AM)
_____________

Way to go Spinout, never let the facts get in the way of your agenda. Both candidate have challenged between 1400-1500 votes so far, according to the last posted story. BOTH. Now go back to watching FOX News so they can inform you of what your next post should say.

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:44 AM)

They are both duds so who cares.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:45 AM)

The missing ballots are in Becker County, not Clay.

Ashley Krog, Fergus Falls, MN (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:59 AM)

what will all you liberals do if the supreme court forces mr. obama to provide his true birth cert? and then rules that he is ineligible? this is extremely possible.....there are a number of suits....

syme (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 PM)

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:26 PM)

Lizard People

Lizard Person (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:26 PM)

Absentee ballots are a sore point in MN.

Coleman shouldn't have won the Senate race in 2002--we call him the Accidental Senator. His opponent Paul Wellstone died shortly before the race's conclusion. Even then it was a close race. The DFL tapped Walter Mondale as a last minute, emergency replacement but the election commission refused to count absentee ballots cast for Wellstone prior to his death for Mondale.

Andrew, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:39 PM)

Scott from Georgia -- I love "that lady from Florida who fell into a bowl of makeup..." The spector of a partisan like Katherine Harris in charge of recounts is what terrifies us all. (All of us who want a fair count, anyway.)

Carrie in Idaho (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:43 PM)

Not really surprised.

This is also the same state that re-elected Michelle Bachmann even AFTER her Joe McCarthy like comments on Hardball.

indyPAvoter (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:52 PM)

Two hundred thirty some odd years this country has been in existance and we can't hold an election without some group of people cheating and getting away with decieving the people. What a sad commentary on our society.
Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca.

There is no cheating in this election, nor is anyone deceiving anyone. My neighbors to the North, have a transparent process. It's hard to know how close the recount is right now, because of challenge ballots. A campaign can challenge the failure to include a ballot that the campaign believes includes the voters intent (the statutory requirement), or they can challenge the decision to include a ballot for the other candidate that they believe should be disqualified pursuit to the law.

molly, Iowa City Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:09 PM)

The right wing radical religious "lunatics" out running around are up to their "distract-attack" tactics again. "The Gross Odd People" (GOP), and the "Really Not Competent," have filed useless lawsuits claiming, that Obama has more than one birth certificate. This is complete insanity by the GOP/RNC! Obama has only one bith certificate, which is very real and very legal. Yes America, the Republican "lunacy" is still continuing. Their suits are senseless, baseless, and insulting to the legal integrity of our nation. The GOP/RNC are "untruthful" again, and are incapable of competent thought. That is fact!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:25 PM)

Hey Santa Fe, I use to live in NM. I found the state to be less than adequate in economics, education and healthcare. I moved to another state where those issues are not a problem. It also happens to be the state with the highest voter turnout in the nation. The highest. Welcome to Minnesota.

Bailey Quarters, Twin Cities, MINNESOTA (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:46 PM)

No one else noticed Elias' comment about how every resident of MN's vote should be counted? How about every CITIZEN of the state - that is what should have been counted. This should be the same for the presidential vote (U.S. citizen)- only wish it was true.

Ron, Mpls MN (Sent Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:03 PM)

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