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: Joe the Plumber

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The Coleman campaign challenged this ballot from Isanti County, saying the six write-in votes for "Joe the Plumber" constituted an identifying mark on the ballot. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #2: The Double Dutch

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The Coleman campaign challenged this ballot from Washington County, saying the voter's intent was not clear. In several races, the voter both filled in the oval next to the candidate and drew another oval next to the candidate's name. In the Senate race, however, the additional oval is marked next to a different candidate. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #3: The Batman

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This Pipestone County voter appears to have drawn bat wings on the filled-in ovals. The Franken camp contested the ballot, saying the Batmanesque markings were distinguishing marks. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #4: The Whiteout

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This Cottonwood County voter appears to have used white correction fluid (more commonly known as Wite-Out or Liquid Paper) to cover marks on the ballot. The Franken campaign challenged the ballot, saying the correction fluid did not constitute erasure of the underlying marks. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #5: The Big X

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The Franken campaign challenged this Cass County ballot because of the large "X" marks crossing out all but three of the races on the ballot. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #6: The Bleeding Ballot

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The Franken campaign challenged this Olmsted County ballot because marks from the reverse side of the ballot appear to have bled through to the front side. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #7: The Split Ticket

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The Coleman campaign challenged a group of ballots in Fillmore County on grounds of voter intent. This ballot, representative of the group, shows a vote for John McCain for president and Al Franken for U.S. Senate. The Coleman campaign disputed the ballots, saying the voters intended to vote for Coleman. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #8: The Treasure Map

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The Coleman campaign challenged this Carver County ballot, claiming the ballot markings constitute an overvote. (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #9: Everybody Wins!

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The Franken campaign challenged this Cook County ballot, saying the marks in the Senate box do not constitute an overvote, but rather are "stray marks." (Secretary of State's Office)

Ballot #10: The Disney

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The Franken campaign challenged this Washington County ballot, saying the original ballot was "not placed in duplicate envelope." See if you can find the applicable state statute here. (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