Minnesota Recount Archive

The close margin in Minnesota's US Senate race triggered an automatic recount which began on November 19. The actual counting of ballots was conducted in each county and this was completed on December 5. On December 16, the state canvassing board began reviewing ballots that had been challenged by both campaigns and ruled on more than 1,300 individual ballots. The board reallocated 5,300 ballots whose challenges had been withdrawn.

On January 3, 2009, Coleman's term officially expired which left the Senate seat vacant. On January 5, the State Canvassing board certified the recount results that showed Franken holding a 225-vote lead. On January 6, Coleman's campaign filed an election contest. The contest prevents the state from issuing an election certificate and seating a winner until the contest is resolved.

On March 31, the three-judge panel hearing the election contest issued an order to count more improperly rejected ballots, and 351 more ballots were counted on April 7. After these votes were counted Franken's margin grew to 312 votes and on April 13, the panel dismissed Coleman's Notice of Contest and ruled that Franken had won the election. Coleman then filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court on April 20, and on April 24, the Minnesota Supreme Court released its order for an expedited briefing schedule that will take place on June 1, 2009.