What is happening right now?
Secretary of State staff are sorting through the envelopes of absentee ballots that local election officials, the Franken campaign and the Coleman campaign ALL agreed were rejected improperly.  Once these are sorted and numbered, they will be opened as one single pile and hand counted.  At that point, each campaign can issue challenges if the voter intent on the ballot is unclear.  These votes are HAND COUNTED.

How far along are we?
A little more than halfway done with the first phase.  Ideally ballots will start being counted around 3pm CST.

Who is really ahead?
Currently Franken is up by 49 votes.  There are 952 votes yet to be counted - these were improperly rejected absentee ballots.  Some of the ballots might be spoiled - we won't know until they are opened.

Could Coleman regain a lead?
Yes.  Most analysis shows Franken will gain votes during this phase.  However, if Coleman is successful in removing ballots his campaign feels are duplicates, Franken's total will fall by approximately 100 ballots.  These ballots will be an issue during an election contest, which can only occur after the Minnesota State Canvassing Board certifies a RESULT (not a winner).

Who certifies a winner?
The Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie (Democrat) and Governor Tim Pawlenty (Republican) must co-sign a certificate of election.  They can only do so AFTER an election contest.

 

When will the Supreme Court rule on whether or not Coleman can add more possibly rejected absentee ballots? (Coleman is looking to add 654 ballots)
Unknown.  Hopefully, soon.  This ruling would also allow Franken to add a smaller number of ballots as well to the mix.

BY NOAH KUNIN, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT - THEUPTAKE.ORG