Franken granted access to data on rejected ballots

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Ramsey County officials must release to the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken all written information it has on absentee ballots that were rejected or not counted, a judge ruled this afternoon.

District Judge Dale Lindman granted a temporary restraining order and injunction to Franken's campaign, ruling that the information Franken is seeking is "public data" under the state Data Practices Act and that it should be turned over to the campaign by the end of the day.

As it has with other counties in the state, the Franken campaign had asked Ramsey County officials for the names and addresses of those whose absentee ballots were rejected and the reasons why, if indicated. When Ramsey County officials denied the request, the campaign sued.

In his order, Lindman wrote: "The harm that (Franken's campaign) would suffer absent a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction far outweighs any harm to (Ramsey County). With each passing hour, the Franken campaign is irreparably harmed in its efforts to ensure that each valid vote is properly counted and to prepare for the procedures that will decide this election."



Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34747259.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUs

[Alexander]

1. Good. Whomever wins, at least we know the result will be accurate.

Here's the page to follow the recount.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/

[BanTheGOP]

3. Wrong...

...the votes are NOT accurate. The republicans have already tainted the ballots. Had they not done this in the first place, then we wouldn't even be HAVING a recount. Al would already be in Washington negotiating his status as a new incoming senator.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Link?

[walktall7]

9. inherent

It is a universal truth that republicans steal elections. I question if a Democrat would ever lose in a fair election.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Of course they lose.

Insanity.

[BanTheGOP]

12. No link, just common sense!

The fact that over 500 votes alone were recovered in a PRE-recount should be telling enough about the intent of the criminal republican attempt to keep, at all costs, a senate seat that should rightfully go to Franken. Indeed, with the proper recount mechanisms in place, Franken will most probably win by a few thousand votes. Thank Gaia Minnesota has paper ballots, the easiest type to determine voter intent, and will be able to effectively prevent the republican thugs from controlling the recount process.

[progdonkey]

15. "common sense"

Absent the work of Thomas Paine, the term "Common Sense" really just means "stupid baseless shit that I pulled out of my ass."

Sarah Palin's full of "common sense" too, you know.

[BanTheGOP]

26. Your assessment is totally ludicrous...

...as the precount had ALREADY uncovered over 500 attempts at manipulating the vote toward Coleman. If they can find that many aberrations at THAT level, then it is almost IMPOSSIBLE that they can't find at least three times as many discrepancies in the full recount.

By that indication, Coleman's ability to hold the lead without finding more aberrations is just as likely as the sun blowing up tomorrow morning. How's THAT for "common sense?"

Sheesh!

[LuckyLib]

2. As an absentee voter in MN, I want to know that my vote was counted.

Coleman is desperate -- in typical repug form, is slinging mud in all directions. Yesterday he announced himself the "winner" again. What a coup to get him OUT!

[Eric J in MN]

8. Minnesota needs a law requiring the counties...

...to examine each absentee ballot envelope, and within a week of receiving it, notify the voter both-by-phone-and-by-mail if there seems to be an issue which might result in the ballot being rejected.

[clear eye]

18. What if no race that year is being recounted?

I read a good description of MN election law, and it is very detailed and inclusive. I was impressed. They probably decided not to mandate contacting voters whose absentee ballots were rejected, because often the whole process is decided conclusively (with a margin greater than the # of rejected absentee ballots) in the first count. Maybe there could be some conditional mandate in the case of a recount?

[Eric J in MN]

24. There are problems with waiting until after Election Night.

The impression that whoever was ahead on Election Night is a more valid winner.

The race against the clock for precincts to get in their totals.

The question of what to do at that point if someone filled out a ballot for the wrong precinct (because he was sent a ballot for the wrong precinct by a clerk who made a mistake.)

I prefer the idea of the voter being phoned as soon as the county receives a ballot with an issue apparent from the outer envelope, and the matter being resolved before Election Night.

[Eric J in MN]

11. CLW - you should phone your county officials and ask them.

You can probably find the phone number with this utility.

The web address says "overseas" but you should be able to use it to find a phone number even if you were in MN when you mailed your ballot:

https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/eod.htm?stateId=26&x=49&y=10

[minnesota_liberal]

14. Call your local county elections office

They can tell you whether or not yours was accepted.

[wroberts189]

4. great news :)

Welcome to the Senate Mr Franken

Looks like we might get that magic 60 after all.


Wouldn't that just make the conserva-whacknuts explode ..hehe :) They will just have to "get over it"

[paulkienitz]

20. 60? Nah, doubt there's much chance in Georgia (nt)

[walktall7]

5. Now that accuracy is coming

I expect Al to win by 10,000s of votes as opposed to the crooked machine politics that made the race seem close.

[pnwmom]

6. If the Green party voters had voted for the only progressive with a chance

to actually win -- Al Franken -- then this would have been over on election night.

[wcepler]

16. spoilers are spoilers are spoilers

Amen. But if Nadir (spelled with an i) had not thrown his egomanical tantrum in year 2000, THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. This is what the I Ching calls doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

[FailureToCommunicate]

23. Nader's ego is still screwing the results in Missouri...

[Eric J in MN]

13. Ramsey County argued that because absentee voting...

..is a privilege, therefore the public should be kept in the dark about whose-ballot-was-rejected-and-why.

That is like saying that because receiving a state contract is a privilege, therefore the public should be kept in the dark about which companies-bid-and-why-their-bid-was-rejected.

[NJCher]

17. DU is so worth it

Here I am at work at 8:07 EST, but before I shut down the computer to go home, I check DU to see if anything big is happening. And this is so big--because this could take us to the 60 we need.

Oh man, what a great drive home I'm going to have tonight! Smiling all the way!

Go Al!!!! And thank you, Al, for fighting and not rolling over like so many Dems have in the past!!

And Coleman, I hope you enjoy being kicked to the curb!

Cher

[orleans]

19. yahoo! go al! n/t

[hyperdemocrat]

21. Good

Count each and every one.

[ksimons]

22. good news I am guessin! nt

[No Elephants]

25. The County should have to pay Franken's legal costs for that lawsuit.