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United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008

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United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008
November 4, 2008
Nominee Al Franken Norm Coleman Dean Barkley
Party DFL Republican Independence
Popular vote 1,212,629[1] 1,212,317[1] 437,505[2]
Percentage 41.994% 41.983% 15.150%
Election results by county

Incumbent Senator
Norm Coleman
Republican

Senator-elect
Al Franken
DFL
Elections in Minnesota

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The 2008 Minnesota United States Senate election took place on November 4, 2008. After a long legal battle, Al Franken from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) defeated the Republican incumbent, Norm Coleman, in one of the closest elections in the history of the Senate.

When the initial count was completed on November 18, Franken was trailing Coleman by 215 votes.[3][4] This close margin triggered a mandatory recount.[5][6] After reviewing ballots that had been challenged during the recount the State Canvassing Board officially certified the recount results with Franken holding a 225-vote lead.[7][8][2]

On January 6, Coleman's campaign filed an election contest and on April 13, a three-judge panel dismissed Coleman's Notice of Contest and ruled that Franken had won the election.[1][9] Coleman’s subsequent appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court was rejected on June 30[10] and shortly thereafter Coleman conceded to Franken.[11]

Contents

[edit] Candidates

[edit] General election

The general election was between three major party candidates and two minor party candidates. The Green Party, formerly a major party in Minnesota, failed to nominate a candidate for this office.[12]

[edit] Former candidates

Several candidates either sought an endorsement at their party's convention, or sought their party's nomination in the primary. The only endorsed candidate not to get nominated in the primary was Stephen Williams of the Independence Party, who lost to former Senator Dean Barkley by over 51 points.

[edit] Primary election

While the Republican Party had endorsed Norm Coleman,[15] the DFL Party Al Franken,[16] and the Independence Party Stephen Williams, 18 candidates had filed to run in the statewide primaries, including seven for the DFL Party, two for the Republican Party, seven for the Independence Party, one for the Libertarian Party, and one for the Constitution Party.[17][18]

Notable challengers included former Ventura administration official Jack Uldrich and former Senator Dean Barkley for the IP nomination; lawyer and vocal Franken critic Priscilla Lord Faris for the DFL nomination; and dentist and fugitive[19] Jack Shepard for the Republican nomination. Minneapolis attorney Mike Ciresi also campaigned for the DFL endorsement, but dropped out on March 10. Each party's respective primary was held on September 9, resulting in Barkley, Franken, and Coleman on the general election ballot.

[edit] DFL Party Primary

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Primary Election (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DFL Al Franken 164,136 65.34%
DFL Priscilla Lord Faris 74,655 29.72%
DFL Dick Franson 3,923 1.56%
DFL Bob Larson 3,152 1.25%
DFL Rob Fitzgerald 3,095 1.23%
DFL Ole Savior 1,227 0.49%
DFL Alve Erickson 1,017 0.40%
Turnout 251,205

[edit] Independence Party Primary

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Primary Election (Independence Party)[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independence Dean Barkley 6,678 58.88%
Independence Jack Uldrich 1,405 12.39%
Independence Stephen Williams 800 7.05%
Independence Kurt Michael Anderson 761 6.71%
Independence Doug Williams 639 5.63%
Independence Darryl Stanton 618 5.45%
Independence Bill Dahn 440 3.88%
Turnout 11,341

[edit] Republican Party Primary

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Primary Election (Republican Party)[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Norm Coleman 130,973 91.32%
Republican Jack Shepard 12,456 8.68%
Turnout 143,429

[edit] Fund raising

2007 year-end reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed that Al Franken had raised $7.04 million through 12/31/2007 while Norm Coleman had raised $6.24 million. Year-end cash on hand was $6.04 million for Coleman and $3.10 million for Franken.[21]

Pre-primary reports filed with the FEC that cover finances through August 20 show Coleman having raised $16.76 million (with $5.61 million on hand). Franken had raised $13.09 million (with $2.37 million on hand), and Barkley had raised $14,374 (with $5,071 on hand).[22]

A report in late October, by the Star Tribune, showed Barkley having raised $56,763 for his campaign.[23]

[edit] Pre-election polling

Opinion polls show Franken narrowing Coleman's lead after the primaries.

In June 2008, Senator John Ensign, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, stated that the Minnesota Senate race would be one of the top ten most competitive Senate races.[24] CQ Politics rated this race as 'No Clear Favorite'.[25] The Cook Political Report considered it a 'Toss Up'.[26] The Rothenberg Political Report considered it a 'Narrow Advantage for Incumbent Party'.[27]

Early polling showed Coleman with a large lead over his prospective Democratic opponents. The senate race narrowed considerably, however, to become one of the most hotly contested elections in the nation in 2008. A January 29, 2008 Minnesota Public Radio poll showed the first lead for Franken.[28] Independence Party challenger Dean Barkley consistently polled in the 15-20% range; he was never able to break the 20% point.

Poll Source Dates administered Coleman
(R)		 Franken
(DFL)		 Barkley (IP)
Survey USA November 1, 2008 44% 39% 16%
Rasmussen Reports October 28, 2008 43% 39% 14%
Rasmussen Reports October 22, 2008 37% 41% 17%
University of Wisconsin–Madison October 19–22, 2008 34% 40% 15%
St. Cloud State University October 14–22, 2008 36% 27% 16%
Minneapolis Star Tribune October 21, 2008 36% 39% 18%
Survey USA October 8–18, 2008 41% 39% 18%
Quinnipiac University October 8–12, 2008 36% 38% 18%
Rasmussen Reports October 7, 2008 37% 43% 17%
Minneapolis Star Tribune September 30 – October 2, 2008 34% 43% 18%
SurveyUSA September 30 – October 1, 2008 43% 33% 19%
Quinnipiac September 14–21, 2008 49% 42%
Rasmussen Reports September 18, 2008 48% 47% 3%
Minneapolis Star-Tribune September 10–12, 2008 41% 37% 13%
Survey USA September 12, 2008 41% 40% 14%
Survey USA August 18, 2008 46% 39%
Minnesota Public Radio August 17, 2008 40% 41%
Rasmussen Reports August 13, 2008 49% 46%
Quinnipiac July 24, 2008 53% 38%
Rasmussen Reports July 22, 2008 46% 49%
Rasmussen Reports July 10, 2008 42% 44%
KSTP**[29] June 13, 2008 48% 37% 8%
Rasmussen Reports June 9, 2008 48% 45%
Quinnipiac June 26, 2008 51% 41%
Survey USA June 10–12, 2008 52% 40%
Rasmussen Reports June 11, 2008 48% 45%
Rasmussen Reports May 22, 2008 47% 45%
Minneapolis Star-Tribune May 12–15, 2008 51% 44%
Survey USA April 30 – May 1, 2008 52% 42%
Rasmussen Reports April 22, 2008 50% 43%
Rasmussen Reports March 19, 2008 48% 46%
Survey USA March 12, 2008 51% 41%
McLaughlin & Associates March 6–9, 2008 46% 40%
Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute January 20–27, 2008 40% 43%
Minnesota Public Radio/Mason Dixon May 7–9, 2007 54% 32%
Source Date Republican Candidate DFL Candidate
Survey USA November 6, 2007 Coleman — 53% Nelson-Pallmeyer — 34%
Survey USA February 12, 2008 Coleman — 58% Nelson-Pallmeyer — 30%
Survey USA May 2, 2008 Coleman — 55% Nelson-Pallmeyer — 36%
Source Date Republican Candidate DFL Candidate
Survey USA July 30, 2007 Coleman — 49% Cohen — 37%
Survey USA November 6, 2007 Coleman — 50% Cohen — 38%
Source Date Republican Candidate DFL Candidate
Survey USA February 12, 2008 Coleman — 58% Stanton — 29%

[edit] Initial election results

After all the votes were tallied, Norm Coleman led Democrat Al Franken by 215 votes – well under the one half of one percent margin that triggers a mandatory recount according to state law. The recount did not begin until November 19, and finished on December 5, with ballot challenges and other matters yet to be totally resolved.[30]

Early on November 5, news organizations including the Associated Press, Minnesota Public Radio, and Fox News[31] had called the election for Coleman; however, MPR and the AP uncalled the race mere hours later.[32] Coleman declared himself the victor, and suggested that Franken waive his right to a recount. Franken was unwilling to do so.[33]

Since the unofficial results were first posted on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, Coleman's lead had narrowed from 726 votes on November 5 to the official tally of 215 votes on November 18. Mark Ritchie called these changes "well within the normal range in the days immediately following an election, when county officials double check and verify election night tabulations reported to the secretary of state's office," while Coleman's campaign decried the "improbable shifts that are overwhelmingly accruing to the benefit of Al Franken."[34] An independent analysis of statewide elections over the prior 10 years showed that the average change in vote totals as reported on election night compared to the certified result is 1,500 votes.[35] The results were certified by each county's canvassing board and then on November 18, 2008 by the Minnesota State Canvassing Board.

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election: Results Certified Nov. 18[3][36][37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Norm Coleman 1,211,590 41.988% −7.541%
DFL Al Franken 1,211,375 41.981% −5.355%
Independence Dean Barkley 437,404 15.158% +13.156%
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,916 0.482% n/a
Constitution James Niemackl 8,905 0.309% +0.209%
Write-ins 2,365 0.082%
Margin of victory 215 0.007%
Turnout 2,885,555

Note: The ±% column reflects the change in total number of votes won by each party from the previous election. Additionally, votes cast for Paul Wellstone in the 2002 election are not factored in to the DFL's total from that year.

[edit] Recount

Recounting ballots by hand in Olmsted County.

In accordance with state law, the Minnesota State Canvassing Board ordered a hand recount in the Senate race, because the margin of victory was within one half of one percent.[38] Representatives of Coleman and Franken observed the sorting and recounting of the ballots at 120 locations across the state on November 19, and largely finished on December 5. The votes were counted locally, but ballots that were challenged by either campaign were sent to the state capital for consideration by the State Canvassing Board. The board was a five-person panel consisting of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, Justice G. Barry Anderson, Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin, and Assistant Chief Judge Edward Cleary; they made determination of the voters' intent for ballots where either of the campaign's representatives disagreed with the election officials at the county sites. Of the five Canvassing Board members, Ritchie was an elected DFLer, the two justices were appointed by a Republican governor, one judge was appointed by an Independence Party governor, and one was elected in a non-partisan election.[39]

Hennepin County ballot paper.
A disputed ballot section.

Of the 4130 precincts in Minnesota, one had to delay reporting its totals because election officials deduced that 133 ballots, all contained in a single envelope, had gone missing during the recount process.[40] After days of searching,[41] the State Canvassing Board decided to use that precinct's election day totals, which included the missing 133 votes.[42] The 133 missing ballots contributed a net 46 votes for Franken.

By the end of the recount, each candidate had gained votes, as is reflected in the "± Votes" column listed below. In total, Coleman had challenged 3,377 ballots and Franken had challenged 3,278. These ballots were set aside until the State Canvassing Board could meet on December 16, at which point the board began deciding on the challenged ballots. Ritchie's office, however, insisted that each campaign voluntarily withdraw some of their challenges, due to the strain a large pile of ballot challenges would place on the State Canvassing Board. On December 3, Al Franken's campaign withdrew 633 of their challenges, and said that they would withdraw more at a later date.[43] The next day, Coleman's campaign responded by withdrawing 650 challenges.[44] By the time all of the ballots that Franken's campaign challenged were examined, he had only 420 challenges left that had not been withdrawn,[45][46] while Coleman's campaign had roughly 1000.[47] The Secretary of State's website had noted that none of the withdrawn ballot challenges were reflected in the running tally of the recount.[48]

By December 19, the State Canvassing Board had largely concluded their review of ballot challenges from each campaign. Of the 1,325 ballots that were reviewed, 319 were awarded to Coleman, 758 were awarded to Franken, and 248 were labeled "other". According to the AP,[49] MPR[50] and the Star Tribune,[51] the resolution of these challenges marked the first time Franken had taken a lead in the recount. On December 30, the board finished reallocating the withdrawn challenges, completing this phase of the recount and leaving Franken with a 49 vote lead.[52][53][54][55]

One of the last—and largest—sources of uncertainty had been the absentee ballots which had been improperly rejected by election officials during the original count. Franken's campaign had asked for these ballots to be tallied up by each county and counted in the recount results, while Coleman's campaign had said that the canvassing board did not have the authority to deal with the ballots. On December 8, some counties began sorting their rejected absentee ballots in order to find out how many were incorrectly rejected.[56] On December 12, the Board voted unanimously to recommend counties sort through their rejected absentee ballots, setting aside any that were incorrectly rejected, and to resubmit their vote totals with the incorrectly rejected ballots included.[57] The Coleman campaign filed suit with the state Supreme Court in order to temporarily halt such counting until "a standard procedure" could be determined,[58] but the State Supreme Court ruled on December 18 that the improperly rejected absentee ballots be included in the recount.[59] The Court also prescribed that a standard procedure be established by the Secretary of State's office in conjunction with the two campaigns.

As of December 30, county officials had found about 1,350 wrongly rejected ballots. The Franken campaign had agreed to count all of those ballots, while the Coleman campaign had agreed to a subset of those ballots, and also wanted to reconsider more than 700 other absentee ballots. On December 30 and 31, representatives of both campaigns met with officials in each county and sorted through the absentee ballots. Due to ballots being rejected by one campaign or the other, 953 ballots were sent to the secretary of state's office. The "fifth pile" of wrongly rejected absentee ballots were opened, checked for identifying marks, and counted (where found eligible) on January 3, 2009. Of the 933 ballots that were found to be eligible, 481 were Franken, 305 were for Coleman, and 147 were for other candidates, or were overvotes or undervotes. The process was broadcast live online by independent news outlet The UpTake.[60]

The state canvassing board certified the recounted vote totals on January 5 with Franken ahead by 225 votes.[7] Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, a Republican who did not endorse a candidate in the 2008 Senate race, called for Coleman to concede.[61]


2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election: Results Certified January 5 ,2009 [2][62][63]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DFL Al Franken 1,212,431 41.991 % −5.35 %
Republican Norm Coleman 1,212,206 41.984 % −7.55 %
Independence Dean Barkley 437,505 15.153 % +13.15 %
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,923 0.482 % n/a
Constitution James Niemackl 8,907 0.308 % +0.21 %
Write-ins 2,365 0.082 %
Margin of victory 225 0.007%
Turnout 2,887,337 †

Note: The ±% column reflects the change in total number of votes won by each party from the previous election. Additionally, votes cast for Paul Wellstone in the 2002 election are not factored in to the DFL's total from that year.

[edit] Election certificate

After the Canvassing Board finished the recount, the next step was for the state to issue an official certificate of election. State law requires a seven-day delay from the Canvassing Board's final report until the certificate can be issued and signed by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Furthermore, state law states that a certificate cannot be issued if an election contest is pending.[64][65]

On January 12, 2009, Franken sent a letter to Ritchie and Pawlenty requesting an election certificate. Both declined, citing the unresolved election contest by Coleman.[66] Later that day, Franken filed suit in Federal court to force the state to issue a certificate, claiming that federal law relating to Senate elections superseded state law.[66] The next day his campaign asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to require Pawlenty and Ritchie to issue the certificate,[65] and the court held a hearing on the suit on February 5, 2009.[67]

Texas Senator John Cornyn said that GOP senators were prepared to filibuster the seating of the canvassing board's declared winner until a signed election certificate is available, as provided under Minnesota law.[64][68] On January 21, 2009, the day after the inauguration of Democratic President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that Senate Democrats are "going to try to seat Al Franken" at least provisionally until the challenge is resolved. Reid also said that there was "not a question in anyone's mind . . . that there's been any fraud or wrongdoing in this election." Senate Republican leaders countered this by insisting that Franken respect Minnesota laws and allow the completion of the legal review.[69][70]

On June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of seating Franken, and claims he "is entitled under Minn. 32 Stat. § 204C.40 (2008) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota."[71] Pawlenty signed the certificate at 6:15 PM that evening[72] which Richie co-signed moments later.[73]

[edit] Election contest

Coleman filed a contest of the election results in the Ramsey County District Court on January 6, 2009.[74] In it, he alleged ballot counting irregularities which, if corrected, would result in his winning the election.[75] Among other issues, he alleged that there were double-counted duplicate ballots, 654 valid absentee votes rejected as invalid by county election officials,[76][77] and problems in dealing with the lost ballots in a Minneapolis precinct.[75][78]

Under Minnesota law the chief justice of the state Supreme Court appoints a three-judge panel to hear an election contest. Because Chief Justice Magnuson had served on the state canvassing board, he recused himself, passing the task to Alan Page, the senior justice on the court.[79] Page chose Judge Elizabeth A. Hayden of Stearns County (who was first appointed by DFL governor Rudy Perpich) to preside over the contest. Assistant Chief Judge Kurt J. Marben of Pennington County (appointed by Independence Party governor Jesse Ventura) and Assistant Chief Judge Denise D. Reilly of Hennepin County (appointed by Republican governor Arne Carlson) were also appointed.[80]

On January 12, 2009 Franken filed a motion to dismiss Coleman's contest, claiming it was "an imprecise and scattershot pleading". He argued that even if the contest were to proceed, the three-judge panel should be limited to determining who would be awarded the already certified ballots and to a simple, mathematical recount to ensure the accuracy of the canvassing board's count, while no additional ballots should be reviewed.[81] On January 22, 2009, Franken's attorneys also argued that the case should not go to trial because the U.S. Senate itself, rather than the court system, has the power under the United States Constitution to judge the election of its own members.[82] Franken's motion to dismiss was denied by the panel on January 23.[83]

On January 19, 2009 Coleman attorney Fritz Knaak requested that the court open and review all rejected absentee ballots – totaling roughly 12,000 – because some of them, he contended, were improperly rejected.[84] Coleman's attorneys also proposed a multiple phase trial that would not start until February 2, in which the first phase would focus on rejected absentee ballots.[85] The panel denied these requests on January 23.[86][83]

The trial began on January 26. Coleman's legal team ran into trouble on the first day when the judges refused to enter into evidence copies of the envelopes from allegedly wrongly rejected absentee ballots. Coleman's team had marked on some of their copies of the envelopes, so the panel ruled that Coleman's attorney would need to subpoena the original absentee ballot envelopes from the counties.[87]

On February 3 the judges agreed to consider 4,797 rejected absentee ballots. This was fewer than the number requested by Coleman but greater than Franken requested. These ballots fall into two categories: those where voters appeared to have met all legal requirements, and those where voters ran afoul of the law through no fault of their own.[88]

On February 13 the court ruled that no evidence had been presented to establish widespread problems with the counting of absentee ballots and that rejected absentee ballots from 12 of 19 disputed categories would not be counted. According to Coleman's attorney, this left approximately 3,500 ballots still open for consideration. The order also specified that parties would need to demonstrate that disputed ballots were legally cast, not just that they should not have been rejected, making it more difficult to argue in favor of counting remaining absentee ballots.[89][90]

On March 2, the Coleman team rested its case after five weeks of testimony. The contest resumed on March 3 with the Franken team presenting its counter arguments. On March 13, the trial portion of the contest concluded with closing argument from both sides. Franken´s closing was delivered by attorney Kevin Hamilton and Coleman's by Joseph Friedburg. After the closing arguments, Franken lead attorney Marc Elias stated: "After seven weeks of trial, hundreds of witnesses, and thousands of exhibits, the trial demonstrated what the state canvassing board found to be true after an exhaustive recount: that Al Franken got more votes on Election Day than Norm Coleman. We remain confident that the court will uphold the results of the election and allow Al Franken to begin the work the voters of Minnesota hired him to do."[91]

On March 31, the court issued an order to count at most 400 rejected absentee ballots and denied any other relief.[92][93] On April 7, the court scrutinized these ballots and determined that 351 had been legally cast. Those votes were counted, with 111 going to Coleman, 198 to Franken, and 42 to Other, giving Franken a final margin of 312 votes.[94]

The court dismissed Coleman's suit "with prejudice" in its final ruling on April 13, finding that his claims had no merit and ordering the Coleman camp to pay the legal costs associated with Coleman's failure to disclose information about Pamela Howell, a precinct election judge and witness in the case,[1] which was later determined to amount to $94,783.[95] In the same ruling, the court also rejected Coleman's claim to exclude 132 missing ballots from the recount total and his request to adjust the results based on Coleman's allegations of double counted ballots.[9][96]

2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election: Added Absentee Ballots from Contest[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DFL Al Franken 198 56.4%
Republican Norm Coleman 111 31.6%
All Other Ballots 42 12.0%
2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election: Results After Election Contest[1][2][62][63]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DFL Al Franken 1,212,629 41.994 % −5.35 %
Republican Norm Coleman 1,212,317 41.983 % −7.55 %
Independence Dean Barkley 437,505 15.151 % +13.15 %
Libertarian Charles Aldrich 13,923 0.482 % n/a
Constitution James Niemackl 8,907 0.308 % +0.21 %
Write-ins 2,365 0.082 %
Margin of victory 312 0.011%
Turnout 2,887,646
DFL gain from Republican Swing

Notes:

  1. This table combines the certified results of January 5, 2009 listed above with the added absentee ballots from April 7, 2009 listed above.

[edit] Appeal to Minnesota Supreme Court

On April 20, Coleman filed a notice of appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.[97] Franken's lawyers requested that the court follow an expedited schedule in hearing the case (with oral arguments scheduled mid May) to enable Minnesota to have two seated Senators.[98][99] In his reply, Coleman asked the Court to take its time, which probably would delay a decision of the Minnesota Supreme Court into June and possibly yet another appeal to the United States Supreme Court into its 2009 term starting in October.[100] On April 24, the Court issued its Order for briefs and oral arguments.[101] Oral arguments took place on June 1, 2009.[102] After the arguments the Minnesota Supreme Court did not indicate how soon it would render judgment.[103]

Some Democrats and political commentators asserted that Coleman no longer had a serious chance of prevailing in the election, and that he continued to file appeals for the sole purpose of delaying the seating of the 60th member of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. Senate (after the switch of Arlen Specter from Republican to Democratic on April 28).[104][105] Sixty Senators would bring the Democrats to a level where they would not need any Republican votes to overcome any Republican filibuster in the Senate for the balance of this Senate term (assuming a straight party-line vote).[106][107][108] Norm Coleman disputed these allegations.[109] About 60% of Minnesotans (64-28, 59-34, 63-37 in three polls) said they wanted Coleman to withdraw.[110]

[edit] The Court's decision

On June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously rejected Coleman's challenge and stated that Franken was entitled to be certified as the winner, thus giving the 111th Congress its 60th Democratic senator. Coleman announced that he would not appeal the result further, and congratulated Franken by phone, telling him that being senator was "the best job he would ever have."[111][112] Governor Pawlenty certified the election certificate as required by law for the winning candidate to be eligible to be sworn into the United States Senate on July 1, 2009.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Judges Elizabeth Hayden, Kurt Marben, and Denise Reilley. "Finding of Facts, Conclusion of Law, and Order for Judgment". Minnesota Judicial Branch. http://dl-client.getdropbox.com/u/60825/COLEMANvFRANKENfinalfindingsoffact.pdf. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Election Reporting". Minnesota Secretary of State. http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races=%27%27. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  3. ^ a b "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report". Minnesota Secretary of State. 2008-11-18. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/postpercanvassingreport1117250p.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  4. ^ St. Paul Pioneer Press
  5. ^ Senate race 100% counted: Coleman up; recount coming, Star Tribune, November 5, 2008
  6. ^ Patricia Lopez and Bob von Sternberg. Day 4: Ballot-counters press on, find glitches. Star Tribune. November 23, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2008.
  7. ^ a b "Minnesota canvassing board certifies Franken win". CNN Political Ticker. 2009-01-05. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/05/minnesota-canvassing-board-certifies-franken-win/. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  8. ^ Stern, Christopher (January 5, 2009). "Democrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aiBbdGgw_u0U&refer=home. Retrieved on January 5, 2009. 
  9. ^ a b Pat Doyle (2009-04-14). "Judges rule Franken winner; Coleman to appeal". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/42932907.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-14. 
  10. ^ "Minn. Court Rules for Franken in Senate Fight". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/30/us/AP-US-Minnesota-Senate.html?_r=1. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 
  11. ^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24383.html
  12. ^ Green Party holds state convention
  13. ^ http://kstp.com/article/stories/s510995.shtml?cat=1
  14. ^ Jesse the Diva gives way to bravado-lite Barkley. Minnesota Post, July 15, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2008.
  15. ^ Zdechlik, Mark (2008-03-03). "Coleman campaign ramps up behind the scenes". Minnesota Public Radio. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/01/colemancampaign/. Retrieved on 2008-03-12. 
  16. ^ The Big Question » Blog Archive » It’s Franken in One
  17. ^ [1] TwinCities.com
  18. ^ Minnesota Secretary of State
  19. ^ Jack is back!
  20. ^ a b c "Primary Election Results". Minnesota Secretary of State Website. http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20080909/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all. 
  21. ^ Candidate Filings, Federal Election Commission, year-end 2007
  22. ^ "2008 Race: Minnesota Senate—Total Raised and Spent". opensecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. 2008-09-01. http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=MNS1&cycle=2008. Retrieved on 2008-09-18. 
  23. ^ ""Five things to know about Dean Barkley"". Star Tribune. 2008-10-25. http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/33285144.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUss. Retrieved on 2008-11-04. 
  24. ^ Kate Phillips, G.O.P. Leader Maps Senate Elections The New York Times, June 13, 2008
  25. ^ Race Ratings Chart: Senate CQ Politics
  26. ^ 2008 Senate Race Ratings The Cook Political Report, October 9, 2008
  27. ^ 2008 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, September 29, 2008
  28. ^ See Minnesota United States Senate election, 2008#Polling
  29. ^ In the June 13,2008 poll with Barkley included, you have to watch the video till 2:03. They release the poll results there.
  30. ^ Franken, Dems, Have Recount History On Their Side. The Huffington Post. November 5, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2008.
  31. ^ Coleman Appears Victor as Minnesota Goes to Recount Senate Race. FoxNews, November 5, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2008.
  32. ^ AP uncalls race due to slim margin, Minnesota Public Radio, November 5, 2008. Accessed November 8, 2008.
  33. ^ Recount: The Coleman-Franken brawl drags on. Star Tribune, November 6, 2008. Accessed November 7, 2008.
  34. ^ [2]
  35. ^ Nelson, Tim (2008-11-12). "Shifting vote totals not unusual". Minnesota Public Radio. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/11/shifting_vote_totals_not_unusual/. Retrieved on 2008-11-13. 
  36. ^ "Canvassing Report of Votes Cast at the State General Election, November 4, 2008". Minnesota Secretary of State. 2008-11-18. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/postpercanvassingreport1117250p.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-06. 
  37. ^ "Canvassing Board Meeting—Nov. 18, 2008: Official minutes". Minnesota Secretary of State. 2008-11-18. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/state_canvassing_board_meeting_minutes_november_18_2008.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-06. 
  38. ^ Canvassing board orders Senate recount Minnesota Public Radio
  39. ^ Scheck, Tom (2008-11-12). "Key panel named in Minn. Senate recount". Minnesota Public radio. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/12/judges_justices_named_minn_recount/. Retrieved on 2008-11-13. 
  40. ^ Dave Orrick and Jason Hoppin (2008-12-05). "On last day's eve, envelope with 133 votes is missing". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_11142337. 
  41. ^ Ballot hunt ends, next stage begins St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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  44. ^ Dave Orrick (2008-12-04). "Coleman campaign withdraws 650 ballot challenges". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11137524. Retrieved on 2008-12-04. 
  45. ^ Pate Doyle, Kevin Duchschere and Bob Von Sternberg (2008-12-18). "State Canvassing Board faces big challenge today". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/36296064.html?page=2&c=y. Retrieved on 2008-12-22. 
  46. ^ Ballot hunt ends, next stage begins St. Paul Pioneer Press
  47. ^ Pate Doyle, Kevin Duchschere and Bob Von Sternberg (2008-12-17). "Senate recount: Trying to fill in the ovals". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/36225984.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUxWoW_oD:EaDUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU. Retrieved on 2008-12-22. 
  48. ^ Scheck, Tom (2000-12-17). "Canvassing Board continues tedious process of reviewing ballots". http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/16/canvassing_board_continues_tedious_process_of_reviewing_ballots/. Retrieved on 2008-12-17. 
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  53. ^ Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (2008-12-30). "Franken leads by 50". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11336331. Retrieved on 2008-12-30. 
  54. ^ Dave Orrick (2008-12-23). "The Recount / State high court hears fight over duplicates". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11292229?nclick_check=1. Retrieved on 2008-12-23. 
  55. ^ Brian Bakst (2008-12-23). "Minnesota won't have new senator before 2009 as board's deliberations spill into new year". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/36630979.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUxWoW_oD:EaDUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyU. Retrieved on 2008-12-23. 
  56. ^ Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Dave Orrick (2008-12-06). "Senate recount ends amid many questions". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11151012. 
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  63. ^ a b "Final Recount Summary by County". Minnesota Secretary of State. 2009-01-05. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/recount_summary_with_ab.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  64. ^ a b "Minnesota Statues 204C.40 Certificates of Election". Minnesota Office of Revisor of Statues. https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=204C.40. Retrieved on 2009-01-04. 
  65. ^ a b Steller, Chris (January 13, 2009). "Franken to Supreme Court: Make Pawlenty and Ritchie issue election certificate". Minnesota Independent. http://minnesotaindependent.com/23085/franken-to-supreme-court-make-pawlenty-and-ritchie-issue-election-certificate. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. 
  66. ^ a b Patricia Lopez and Mike Kaszuba (2009-01-12). "Franken tries to sidestep courts". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/37477344.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-13. 
  67. ^ Page, Alan C. (January 14, 2008). "Order A09-64" (PDF). Minnesota Judicial Branch. http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/0/Public/Other/2008%20Elections/Order.1.14.09.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-14. 
  68. ^ Welch, Chris (2009-01-03). "Senate GOP prepared to fight if Dems try to seat Franken". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/02/mn.recount.cornyn/?iref=mpstoryview. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  69. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090121/ap_on_go_co/senate_franken/print;_ylt=A0LEaoeVr3dJAnQAPxOMwfIE
  70. ^ Senate Democrats move toward seating Franken
  71. ^ MN Supreme Court Decision
  72. ^ Doyle, Pat (June 30, 2009). "At last, a second senator for Minnesota". Minneapolis Star Tribune (Avista Capital Partners). http://minnesotaindependent.com/38279/pawlenty-ritchie-certificate-franken. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 
  73. ^ Weiner, Jay (June 30, 2009). "Coleman-Franken Senate race: The day the recount ended and the fight turned into something really nice". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/06/30/9950/coleman-franken_senate_race_the_day_the_recount_ended_and_the_fight_turned_into_something_really_nice. Retrieved on 2009-06-30.  and Pawlenty, Tim and Richie, Mark (June 30, 2009). "Certificate of Election for Six-Year Term" (PDF). The Minnesota Independent. Center for Independent Media. 2. http://minnesotaindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/063009_election_certificate_amp__cover_letter.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 
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  75. ^ a b "Minnesota Senate Seat Election Contest". Minnesota Courts. 2009-01-06. http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=3409. Retrieved on 2009-01-06. 
  76. ^ Kevin Duchshere and Mike Kaszuba (2009-01-03). "Franken up 225 with recount complete; focus turns to court". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/37047159.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-04. 
  77. ^ Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (2009-01-04). "Franken's lead grows in recount finale". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11364794. Retrieved on 2009-01-04. 
  78. ^ Jason Hoppin and Dave Orrick (2009-01-03). "Recount wrapping up. Then what?". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11359235?source=topixheadlines. Retrieved on 2009-01-05. 
  79. ^ Weiner, Jay and Black, Eric (January 8, 2009). "Recount notebook: Musings on Franken-Coleman maneuvers, Supreme Court 'leanings,' and more". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/01/08/5689/recount_notebook_musings_on_franken-coleman_maneuvers_supreme_court_leanings_and_more. Retrieved on 2009-01-08. 
  80. ^ Weiner, Jay (January 12, 2009). "Judges named to hear Senate election contest; Coleman side reacts colorfully to Franken certificate play". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/01/12/5789/judges_named_to_hear_senate_election_contest_coleman_side_reacts_colorfully_to_franken_certificate_play. Retrieved on 2009-01-12. 
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  82. ^ Cadei, Emily (2009-01-22). "Franken Makes Case To Let Senate Decide". CQPolitics. http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003014318&cpage=1. Retrieved on 2009-01-23. 
  83. ^ a b Condon, Patrick (2009-01-23). "Franken's motion to dismiss recount suit rejected". Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMpTmr96V5hKIfyHT4Av4jsVQgrQD95SJBUO0. Retrieved on 2009-01-23. 
  84. ^ http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/coleman-wants-to-open-thousands-of-absentee-ballots-2009-01-19.html
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  86. ^ Duchschere, Kevin, (January 16, 2009). "Recount: Trial on Coleman challenge to begin on Jan. 26". Minnesota Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/37722979.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUxWoW_oD:EaDUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU. Retrieved on 2009-01-16. 
  87. ^ Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (2009-01-27). "Markings on absentee ballot envelopes upset Coleman case". St. Paul Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11560057?nclick_check=1. Retrieved on 2009-01-27. 
  88. ^ Condon, Patrick, (February 3, 2009). "5K rejected Minn. Senate ballots get another look". Associated Press. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_re_us/minnesota_senate/print;_ylt=AjPT1Gekf_DyJp1skG9DKKxH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTB1MjgxN2UzBHBvcwMxNARzZWMDdG9vbHMtdG9wBHNsawNwcmludA--. Retrieved on 2009-02-03. 
  89. ^ Duchschere, Kevin (2009-02-14). "Recount trial: Coleman dealt blow, but no knockout". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/39574697.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvckD_V_jEyhD:UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU. Retrieved on 2009-02-16. 
  90. ^ Dunbar, Elizabeth; Condon, Patrick (2009-02-13). "Minn. Senate trial judges deliver blow to Coleman". The Huston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/6263062.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-16. 
  91. ^ Doyle, Pat (2009-03-13). "Minnesota Senate recount: Sudden sprint to finish line". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/41152662.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU. Retrieved on 2009-03-15. 
  92. ^ Judge Elizabeth Hayden (2009-04-01). "Order for Delivery of Ballots". Minnesota Judicial Branch. http://stmedia.startribune.com/documents/SCN_20090331144744_001.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-14. 
  93. ^ Pat Doyle and Kevin Duchschere (2009-04-01). "Senate recount trial: Judges' ruling is boon to Franken". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/42221767.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-14. 
  94. ^ Pat Doyle and Kevin Duchschere (2009-04-08). "Coleman team vows to appeal tally". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/42588822.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-14. 
  95. ^ "Court: Coleman must pay Franken $95,000 in court costs". Star Tribune. 2009-06-11. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/47594802.htm. Retrieved on 2009-06-15. 
  96. ^ Associated Press (2009-04-14). "Al Franken is the winner of Minnesota Senate Race, court rules". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/14/2009-04-14_al_frankens_minn_victor_court_rules.html. 
  97. ^ "Coleman keeps promise, files appeal". USA TODAY. April 20, 2009. http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/04/coleman-appeals.html. 
  98. ^ "Franken Asks State Supreme Court to Expedite Appeal". MinnPost.com. 2009-04-21. http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2009/04/21/8226/franken_asks_state_supreme_court_to_expedite_appeal. Retrieved on 2009-04-21. 
  99. ^ Snyder, Richard D. (2009-04-21). "respondent's Motion for Expedited Schedule". MinnPost.com. http://www.minnpost.com/client_files/pdfs/Motion4ExpeditedSchedule.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-21. 
  100. ^ "Coleman asks state Supreme Court to take it slow". Star Tribune. 2009-04-22. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/43429282.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-23. 
  101. ^ "ORDER for briefing schedule". Minnesota Supreme Court. 2009-04-24. http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/0/Public/Other/2008%20Elections/Order4.24.09.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-24. 
  102. ^ "State Supreme Court grills lawyers for Coleman, Franken". Star Tribune. 2009-06-01. http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/46621982.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-01. 
  103. ^ "Coleman / Franken Senate race reaches the Supreme Court". Star News. 2009-06-03. http://erstarnews.com/content/view/8025/211/. Retrieved on 2009-06-10. 
  104. ^ "Longtime GOP Sen. Arlen Specter becomes Democrat". CNN. 2009-04-28. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/28/specter.party.switch/index.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-28. 
  105. ^ Cillizza, Chris (2009-04-28). "Specter to switch parties". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/04/28/specter_to_switch_parties.html?wprss=44. Retrieved on 2009-04-28. 
  106. ^ Chaggaris, Steve (2009-04-15). "Morning Bulletin – Wednesday, April 15, 2009". CBS. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/04/15/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4946231.shtml. Retrieved on 2009-04-20. 
  107. ^ "The GOP's Senate stall in Minnesota". Chattanooga Times Free Press. 2009-04-18. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/apr/18/gops-senate-stall-minnesota/?opiniontimes. Retrieved on 2009-04-20. 
  108. ^ Black, Eric (2009-04-17). "An explanation for why Coleman hasn't filed notice of appeal". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/ericblackblog/2009/04/17/8144/an_explanation_for_why_coleman_hasnt_filed_notice_of_appeal. Retrieved on 2009-04-20. 
  109. ^ "Coleman: 'I think the law is on our side'". Star Tribune. 2009-04-17. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/43113327.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUec7PaP3E77K_0c::D3aDhUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr. Retrieved on 2009-04-19. 
  110. ^ Brauer, David (2009-04-26). "Your liberal media: Public says Norm should concede; editorial pages disagree". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2009/04/26/8347/your_liberal_media_public_says_norm_should_concede_editorial_pages_disagree. Retrieved on 2009-04-28. 
  111. ^ "Minn. Court Rules for Franken in Senate Fight". New York Times. 2009-06-30. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/30/us/AP-US-Minnesota-Senate.html?_r=1. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 
  112. ^ Weiner, Jay (June 30, 2009). "Senate recount: After unanimous ruling for Franken, attention shifts to Pawlenty -- and Coleman". MinnPost. http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/06/30/9933/senate_recount_after_unanimous_ruling_for_franken_attention_shifts_to_pawlenty_--_and_coleman. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 

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