Now, as they say, the fun can begin.
After awarding a last batch of votes from more than 950 improperly rejected absentee ballots, the Canvassing Board is expected to declare either Democrat Al Franken or Republican Norm Coleman as winner of the recount. But Minnesota law lets the losing candidate file an “election contest” that would throw the whole race into the courts, effectively blocking final certification of a new senator.
“I’d say it’s close to inevitable” that the losing candidate will sue, said Edward Foley, an election law expert at Ohio State University who has closely monitored the Minnesota recount.
That’s just the beginning. Apparently expecting Al Franken to come out ahead, the Senate GOP leaders are taking swift, decisive action.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said Friday his caucus would block any attempt to seat the winner of Minnesota‘s Senate election until an expected court case is finished and an official election certificate is issued.
Now as nice as that sounds, realize that if Coleman was ahead by one vote, the Republicans wouldn’t be blocking his seating on Franken’s behalf. Much like early reports in 2000 suggested the Republicans would have disputed a presidential candidate winning the popular vote but losing the election since internal polling suggested that the most likely scenario, only to reverse themselves come November, we’ve got some delightfully selective adherence to electoral regulations.
You can understand their plight, though. Having Al Franken win a Senate seat must be a hell of a kick in the pants.
