Campaign 2008 from Minnesota Public Radio

Bachmann to launch 2012 bid after slow Iowa start

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:04:06 -0500

Michele Bachmann is expected to formally kick-off her bid for the White House on Monday in Iowa, but she'll do so without having established the presence needed in the state to woo key activists.

Minn. high court to hear KSTP-TV's absentee ballot case

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:09:00 -0500

The Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear KSTP-TV's attempt to gain access to rejected absentee ballots that were never counted in the 2008 U.S. Senate race.

Judges hear appeal in 2008 rejected ballots case

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:27:46 -0500

A panel of Minnesota judges is deciding whether a set of rejected absentee ballots from the 2008 election should ever be opened.

Minn. judge grants access to rejected '08 ballots

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:11:28 -0600

A Ramsey County judge has granted a media outlet access to uncounted absentee ballots that were a flashpoint during the drawn-out 2008 Minnesota Senate race.

Franken and Coleman top fundraising for Senate races

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:09:02 -0600

Newly released numbers from the Federal Election Commission show Al Franken and Norm Coleman raised more money than any other U.S. Senate candidates in the last election cycle.

Panel that decided Franken-Coleman race wins award

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:13:39 -0500

The state's judges are paying tribute to the three-judge panel that decided the winner of Minnesota's disputed U.S. Senate election between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman.

Coleman spends $6.3 million since Election Day

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:09:54 -0500

Fundraising numbers from former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign show Coleman spent more than $6.3 million for his post-election recount battle.

Franken raises $10 million since November

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:44:59 -0500

Democrat Al Franken's U.S. Senate campaign raised about $10 million between Election Day last year and the end of June.

Franken has a few questions left for Sotomayor

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:18:37 -0500

Minnesota's newest senator will be the last to question Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor today. Is there anything left to ask?

Franken preps with legal scholars for Sotomayor hearings

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:00:53 -0500

Sen. Al Franken met Saturday with legal scholars in advance of next week's hearings on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

Senate pays tribute to Coleman in bipartisan sendoff

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:55:12 -0500

After welcoming Al Franken as the newest member on Tuesday, the U.S. Senate spent about an hour Thursday paying tribute to Norm Coleman as the latest to leave.

A recount to make Minnesota proud

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:06:00 -0500

Minnesota's secretary of state offers a recap of the Senate recount and its lessons for the future.

Al Franken takes his seat in the Senate

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:12:53 -0500

Democrat Al Franken will be sworn in later this morning as Minnesota's second senator, eight months after the ballots were first counted.

Franken in Washington, says he's ready to work

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:49:37 -0500

Democrat Al Franken has arrived in Washington offering no jokes -- just a promise that he is "ready to get to work." Franken will be sworn in tomorrow as Minnesota's second U.S. senator.

Balls, strikes and absentee ballots

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

A lawyer puts the Coleman-Franken decision in terms baseball fans will appreciate.

Franken brings 60th vote to Senate Dems

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:56:55 -0500

Once Al Franken officially becomes a member of the Senate next week, Senate Democrats will hold a powerful majority with 60 votes in its caucus. But that doesn't mean they can ignore the opposition.

Franken rallies supporters at Capitol

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:15:39 -0500

Sen.-elect Al Franken addressed an energized crowd of several hundred supporters on the front lawn of the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon, at a long-awaited victory rally.

Sen.-elect Franken celebrates victory at Capitol rally

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:05:56 -0500

Live coverage of Sen.-elect Al Franken's victory rally at the State Capitol, as well as commentary from MPR's political analysts.

Edgy persona may not be much help in the Senate

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

There's a reason that politicians seldom use satire.

Al Franken ready to begin Senate work next week

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0500

After an eight-month battle, DFLer Al Franken has been declared the winner of Minnesota's remaining U.S. Senate seat. Franken already has his committee assignments and expects to begin work as soon as Congress returns from its Fourth of July break next week.

Al Franken heads to Washington

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:23:46 -0500

Nearly eight months after Election Day, Minnesota finally has its second U.S. senator. Midmorning looks at what lies ahead for Sen.-elect Al Franken.

Now, Franken must learn to collaborate

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:20:00 -0500

A political scientist offers his view of the challenges that Al Franken faces next.

Franken 'thrilled' over victory in Minnesota's long-running Senate race

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:06:39 -0500

Democrat Al Franken, accompanied by his wife, told reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis home this afternoon that "Franni and I are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory."

Pawlenty says he'll sign election certificate

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:02:56 -0500

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he intends to sign an election certificate in Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate race once the court rules on the matter.

FEC: Coleman can use campaign cash in lawsuits

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:35:16 -0500

The FEC said today that Norm Coleman can use campaign funds to pay legal fees arising from allegations that a supporter funneled money to Coleman through his wife's employer.

National GOP spent $938,000 on Coleman's Senate fight

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:32:53 -0500

The fundraising committee for Senate Republicans has invested heavily in Norm Coleman's ongoing battle in Minnesota, including about $938,000 last month alone.

Author goes inside the Obama campaign

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Journalist Richard Wolffe was given extraordinary access to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. His new book chronicles Obama's evolution as a candidate and the moments that shaped his campaign.

Franken/Coleman: former justice isn't surprised by lengthy process

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:02:52 -0500

It's been two weeks since the Minnesota Supreme Court heard the arguments. And there's still no ruling.

Coleman ordered to pay Franken $95,000 in legal fees

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:08:41 -0500

A three-judge panel has ordered Norm Coleman to pay Al Franken nearly $95,000 related to Coleman's lawsuit over the still-unresolved U.S. Senate race.

Senate outcome in Supreme Court's hands

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:10:43 -0500

Nearly seven months after Minnesotans cast their ballots in a Senate election, the state's unresolved race -- the longest running recount in Minnesota history -- is now in the hands of five state Supreme Court justices.

Franken confident as Supreme Court hearing takes place today

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0500

As the Minnesota Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments this morning in the state's long-running Senate race, Democrat Al Franken told MPR he's confident the court will rule in his favor. His opponent, Norm Coleman, declined an interview request.

Coleman appeal heads to state's highest court

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:59:22 -0500

Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate battle reaches another milestone Monday when the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the election contest.

National politics and Senate argument discussion

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:42:26 -0500

Midmorning recaps arguments heard at the Minnesota Supreme Court on the Minnesota Senate race. And then, in other parts of the country political races are beginning to shape up even as Minnesota's Senate seat remains in limbo.

Live coverage: Minnesota Senate race

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:34:42 -0500

Special live coverage of oral arguments in the Senate recount case at the Minnesota Supreme Court, presented by lawyers representing former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken.

Group sues over voter registration records

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:45:35 -0500

A group of conservatives is suing Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and 25 county election officials over what it characterizes as incomplete voter records.

Coleman argues more ballots should be presumed valid

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:19:51 -0500

Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate race took another step toward a potential conclusion today as Republican Norm Coleman's attorneys filed their remaining paperwork with the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Franken files arguments in Senate recount trial

Mon, 11 May 2009 15:21:34 -0500

Democrat Al Franken's attorneys called on the Minnesota Supreme Court today to uphold a ruling that declared Franken the winner of Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate race.

Coleman asks Supreme Court to count more Senate votes

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:50:28 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's attorneys filed paperwork with the state Supreme Court asking it to order the three-judge panel to count more rejected absentee ballots or say no one won the race.

Franken hires chief of staff

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:12:25 -0500

Even though the Minnesota Senate seat is still in legal dispute, Democrat Al Franken announced today that he has hired a chief of staff for his Washington office.

Specter's switch raises stakes in Franken-Coleman contest

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:11:44 -0500

Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to switch parties in anticipation of the 2010 election may mean that Minnesota's 2008 election will go on even longer.

Think Franken vs. Coleman is a long wait? Try Wilson vs. Vare

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:19:04 -0500

The U.S. Senate historian released a list of all of the election disputes that were reviewed by the members of the chamber.

Supreme Court recount timeline called reasonable

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:00:21 -0500

Minnesota will head into summer without a second U.S. senator under the Supreme Court's schedule for hearing Republican Norm Coleman's appeal. While the timeline might seem long, legal observers say it's reasonable considering the gravity of the case.

Franken confident he'll prevail

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:47:47 -0500

DFL Senate candidate Al Franken said this morning he does not think Republican Norm Coleman will win his appeal of the three-judge panel's ruling that Franken got more votes last November than Coleman.

Coleman files Supreme Court appeal

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:16:20 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's lawyers filed a notice of appeal with the state Supreme Court Monday afternoon, seeking to overturn last week's ruling by a three-judge panel that found Democrat Al Franken received more legal votes than Coleman in November's election.

Minn. Senate case tests court that shuns politics

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:44:38 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's next gambit for regaining his U.S. Senate seat will come before a Minnesota Supreme Court that seems built to his advantage, with five of its seven members appointed by Republicans. But that edge isn't all it seems.

Minnesota Supreme Court takes center stage in Senate recount

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:08:22 -0500

Former Sen. Norm Coleman is expected to appeal the 2008 Senate election results to the Minnesota Supreme Court within the next few days. How will the Supreme Court address the legal issues involved in the recount and election contest?

Franken's recount effort raises nearly $6 million

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:27:19 -0500

Al Franken has raised nearly $6 million since last November's election to pay for his recount effort.

Coleman faces uphill battle in appeal case

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:00:00 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's attorneys say they'll file an appeal with the state Supreme Court early next week. This comes in response to the ruling on Monday by the three-judge panel that heard Coleman's senate election contest. But what are Coleman's prospects?

Dems urge Coleman to drop legal battle

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:53:50 -0500

Democrats today tried to turn up the pressure on Republican Norm Coleman to drop his legal battle for the Senate seat. Yesterday evening, the judicial panel ruled against Coleman in his election challenge lawsuit. But Coleman is showing no signs of throwing in the towel.

Coleman attorney: Appeal won't come this week

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:47:54 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's appeal of his Minnesota Senate trial loss probably won't come until next week, his attorney said Tuesday.

Coleman's next stop: Minnesota Supreme Court

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:19:39 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman says he will appeal a three-judge panel's ruling that Democrat Al Franken was the top vote-getter in Minnesota's 2008 U.S. Senate election. The next stop for the case will be the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Judges declare Franken winner; Coleman to appeal

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:08:27 -0500

A Minnesota court has confirmed that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in his 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman.

Pawlenty emerges as key player in outcome of Senate race

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:00:17 -0500

Gov. Tim Pawlenty won't commit to a timetable for signing an election certificate in the state's drawn-out U.S. Senate race.

More delay sought in Texas case naming Coleman donor

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:02:58 -0500

More delays could be ahead for a Texas lawsuit alleging that a friend and donor of Republican Norm Coleman tried to improperly steer money to the then-U.S. senator.

Coleman defends continued Minn. Senate fight

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:05:31 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman is defending the planned appeal of his Senate election lawsuit to the Minnesota Supreme Court, even if it means the state is short a U.S. senator for several more weeks.

Coleman's odds of winning shrink with new ballot tally

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:05 -0500

While vowing to press ahead, Republican Norm Coleman's re-election fortunes slid further in reverse Tuesday as Democrat Al Franken widened his lead to 312 votes in the Minnesota Senate race.

Politcs and the Senate recount

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

As the three-judge panel prepares to count 400 or fewer disputed absentee ballots, both Coleman and Franken continue to raise money to support their efforts to win Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat. A look at the politics of the contentious Senate race and what Congress' action on President Obama's stimulus bill is shaking out around the country.

Coleman uses conservative media to keep campaign alive

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:45:17 -0500

Norm Coleman has had a lot to say on conservative TV and radio shows about his plans to take his election battle to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Recount trial nears the end

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:26:13 -0500

On Tuesday, the three-judge panel hearing Republican Norm Coleman's Senate lawsuit will count the absentee ballots that it ruled were wrongly rejected.

Number of Minn. Senate ballots that may count drops

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:08:31 -0500

The pile of unopened absentee ballots that could be added to Minnesota Senate totals for Al Franken and Norm Coleman is now down to 387.

Why Norm Coleman continues to fight

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Though it looks like Norm Coleman will not prevail before the three-judge panel hearing the Senate election case, the battle is far from over.

Court ruling makes Coleman win unlikely

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 -0500

It's looking less likely that Republican Norm Coleman will surpass Democrat Al Franken's 225-vote lead in Minnesota's long-running race for U.S. Senate. The three-judge panel hearing Coleman's election contest says it will consider opening and counting at most only 400 absentee ballots.

Panel's order a setback for Coleman

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:37:07 -0500

Attorneys for Republican Norm Coleman said Tuesday they're preparing for an appeal after a three-judge panel hearing the recount trial said it would review a maximum of 400 absentee ballots.

FEC: National committees can raise recount funds

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:26:07 -0500

The Federal Election Commission says national political party committees can raise funds to help Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken offset expenses connected to the Minnesota Senate recount and trial.

Coleman appeal could play constitutional wild card

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Many Republicans are urging Norm Coleman to appeal if the three-judge panel rules against him in his Senate recount trial against Al Franken. The appeal could hinge on equal protection language in the U.S. Constitution.

Coleman attorney eyes appeal

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:26 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's attorney told a Twin Cities radio station this week that Coleman will probably end up with fewer votes than Al Franken when the three-judge panel rules in Coleman's election contest.

Franken expands list of absentee ballots sought

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:59:37 -0500

Democrat Al Franken is expanding the number of absentee ballots that he thinks should be counted in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race.

Recount case in the hands of the judges

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:42:43 -0500

The fate of Minnesota's vacant U.S. Senate seat is now in the hands of a three-judge panel. Attorneys for both Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken spent the day summing up why they believe they have more votes in the contested election.

Senate trial closing arguments in sight

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:00 -0500

After nearly seven weeks of trial, attorneys in Republican Norm Coleman's election contest will present their closing arguments Friday before a three-judge panel. Thursday, Democrat Al Franken's lawyers called their last witnesses and rested their case.

The latest on the Senate recount trial

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:04:52 -0500

The Senate recount trial is nearing an end after seven weeks of testimony. Attorneys for DFLer Al Franken are expected to finish presenting their case today. Republican Norm Coleman is pursuing the trial in hopes of overturning Franken's 225-vote lead in the race.

Coleman warns donors after data breach

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:24:33 -0500

Republican Norm Coleman's campaign says it's the victim of a cyber-attack. Several Web sites are linking to what appear to be Coleman campaign spreadsheets which contain names, e-mail addresses and partial credit card numbers of contributors. It's unclear who is responsible.

Recount trial delayed by weather

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:00:33 -0500

Lawyers for Democrat Al Franken won't be able to rest their case as planned today in Republican Norm Coleman's election contest, because one of their last witnesses couldn't travel to St. Paul from northwestern Minnesota because of yesterday's snowstorm.

Franken to rest case in Senate recount trial

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:37:22 -0500

After seven weeks of the Senate recount trial, attorneys for Democrat Al Franken plan to call their final witnesses to the stand tomorrow.

Franken sees 'light at end of tunnel' on Minn. Senate race

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:15:42 -0500

Democrat Al Franken said Tuesday he sees "a light at the end of the tunnel" and expects to be seated as Minnesota's next senator. He traveled to Washington today for meetings, including lunch with the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Absentee ballot pile shrinks in Minn. Senate trial

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:42:33 -0500

Only a tiny fraction of sealed absentee ballot envelopes that judges in the Minnesota Senate trial ordered searched for voter registration cards contained the document.

Who's paying for the Senate trial?

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:00:00 -0500

As Norm Coleman's election lawsuit enters its seventh week, court expenses and trial-related costs for counties around Minnesota are increasing.

Court rejects Franken petition for election certificate

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:38:48 -0600

Minnesota's Supreme Court on Friday blocked Democrat Al Franken's petition for an election certificate that would put him in the U.S. Senate without waiting for a lawsuit to run its course.

Franken asks judges to toss Minn. Senate lawsuit

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:56:56 -0600

Democrat Al Franken is calling for full dismissal of Republican Norm Coleman's election lawsuit challenging the Minnesota Senate recount. Franken contends Coleman hasn't proved his case.

Senate candidates still raking in cash

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0600

As the Senate election trial continues Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman are aggressively trying to add to the more than $11 million dollars they've raised since Election Day.

Franken confident he'll win Minnesota Senate trial

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:04:47 -0600

Democrat Al Franken says he's confident that he'll win the Minnesota Senate election trial, but he's not ruling out an appeal if he doesn't.

Franken side presents its own voter witnesses

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:47:23 -0600

After questioning nearly two dozen voters whose absentee ballots were not counted in Minnesota's disputed U.S. Senate election, attorneys for Democrat Al Franken have called Gary Poser back to the stand this afternoon.

As Coleman rests his case, we recap the trial so far

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:13:17 -0600

The overarching theme of Coleman's case, presented over the past five weeks, was to get in as many previously rejected ballots as possible, to erase Democrat Al Franken's 225-vote recount lead.

Coleman witness removed from the stand again

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:41:45 -0600

Democrat Al Franken's legal team today asked the three-judge panel hearing Republican Norm Coleman's election contest to throw out one of Coleman's major claims.

Judges order opening of 1,500 absentee ballot envelopes

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:17:58 -0600

The three-judge panel hearing Republican Norm Coleman's election contest has ordered local election officials to open about 1,500 absentee ballot envelopes to look for voter registration cards.

In break for Coleman, panel reverses order on poll worker testimony

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:46:19 -0600

The judges reversed their order that struck out testimony of Pamela Howell, a Minneapolis poll worker who claimed to witness errors that could have caused double-counting of votes.

Setback for Coleman at Minnesota Senate recount trial

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:06:25 -0600

Another setback for Republican Norm Coleman at the Minnesota Senate recount trial. The judges have thrown out the testimony of a Minneapolis poll worker who claimed to witness errors that could have caused double-counting of votes.

Appeals may delay Pawlenty's signature on election certificate

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:51:19 -0600

It isn't clear when the winner of the senate election will get a certificate allowing him to join the U.S. Senate.

Franken tries to pare Coleman ballot list

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:25:05 -0600

One by one, Democrat Al Franken's attorneys are casting doubt over the viability of uncounted absentee ballots that Republican Norm Coleman wants included in the Minnesota Senate race tally.

Recount trial enters second month

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:16:39 -0600

Minnesota's U.S. Senate election trial started its second month this morning in a St. Paul courtroom, with the director of Minnesota elections the first to take the stand.

Franken suggests review of 1,585 absentee ballots

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:09:50 -0600

Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken has told a Minnesota court he would agree to the opening and possible counting of almost 1,600 still-sealed absentee ballots.

Minn. Senate trial completes week 4, more in store

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:25:19 -0600

After four weeks, a parade of witnesses and a blizzard of legal filings, the trial to determine Minnesota's second U.S. senator is in much the same place as it began.

Coleman moves to preserve information from counted ballots

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:36:40 -0600

Republican Norm Coleman's lawyers want the court to preserve identifying information about some of the absentee ballots tallied in the closing hours of the recount.

Senate trial picks up speed; 10 elections officials testify

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:30:18 -0600

Minnesota's U.S. Senate recount trial picked up speed Thursday with 10 witnesses testifying about how their cities or counties processed absentee ballots.

Minn.'s biggest county now in recount spotlight

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:57:21 -0600

Election officials from Minnesota's biggest county, Hennepin, are moving to the witness stand as the trial over the disputed U.S. Senate race tiptoes along.

Senate judges: No 2nd look at key ballot ruling

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:19:17 -0600

The three-judge panel hearing Minnesota's U.S. Senate recount trial has denied a request by Republican Norm Coleman to reconsider a ruling that narrowed the ballot categories in question.

Testimony of election officials continues in Senate trial

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:00:00 -0600

A Scott County election official resumes testifying this morning in Republican Norm Coleman's Senate election contest about how her county processed absentee ballots.

Court tries to streamline election contest

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:49:30 -0600

The recount trial picked has speed today after the three-judge panel hearing the case limited the types of rejected absentee ballots that might be counted.

Judges: No widespread problem with rejected ballots shown

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:31:17 -0600

Judges in Minnesota's U.S. Senate trial say Republican Norm Coleman has not yet shown a widespread problem with rejected absentee ballots.

Coleman, Franken clash over absentee considerations

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:00:37 -0600

Lawyers for Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman took widely opposing views on which standard the three-judge panel hearing the Senate election case should use to count absentee ballots. The court held a special hearing Thursday on streamlining the number of ballots under consideration.

Ritchie explains his election reform proposals

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:58:09 -0600

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is proposing a long list of election reforms, in the wake of the U.S. Senate race that is still not resolved. He joins Midday to explain why changes are necessary.