Minnesota Senate Recount

Representatives from the campaigns of Sen. Norm Coleman and Al Franken have been challenging ballots across the state.

It's your turn to play election judge. Tell us how you would rule in the case of these challenged ballots. Use this Minnesota state statute as your guide.

Click for a brief description of these ballots.

Ballot #1: The Jellyfish

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The Franken campaign challenged this Stearns County ballot due to "distinguishing marks." Marks from the reverse side of the ballot appear to have bled through and the voter appears to have attempted to rectify that by scribbling over the marks. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #2: The Just Because

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The Coleman campaign challenged this ballot from Hennepin County, saying the voter's editorial comments constitute a distinguishing mark on the ballot. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #3: The Witness

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This Otter Tail County voter appears to have made a mistake in marking the U.S. Senate race. The voter then made a change to the ballot and appears to have had two 'witnesses' sign the ballot as proof. The Franken campaign challenged the ballot. MPR has redacted the names to protect the voter's privacy. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #4: The Supervisor

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The Franken campaign challenged this Hennepin County ballot, saying the voter intended to vote for Franken, but mistakenly wrote the candidate's name in for Soil and Water Conservation District 5. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #5: The Yes

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The Coleman campaign challenged this Benton County ballot because of "unusual marks." The voter appears to have written the word 'yes' inside the oval next to Al Franken's name. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #6: The Oops

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Both campaigns challenged this Hennepin County ballot with the Coleman camp saying the voter's intent is clear and the Franken camp saying what appear to be initials constitute an identifying mark on the ballot. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #7: The Write-out

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The Franken campaign challenged this Hennepin County ballot, saying the ballot for U.S. Senate is an undervote and not a vote for Norm Coleman. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #8: The Mistake

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The Coleman campaign challenged this Lake of the Woods County ballot, saying the voter's declarations of mistakes constitute identifying marks. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #9: The Blackout

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The Franken campaign challenged this Olmsted County ballot, saying the voter's intent is not clear. (Secretary of State's Office)

More on the Senate recount:

Discuss these ballots on News Cut

View all of the challenged ballots as they become available

FAQ about the Senate recount

Video: Recount Day 1