Challenged ballots: You be the judge

[one...two...tree 2,762]

by Than Tibbetts, Minnesota Public Radio November 20, 2008 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.

DAY 2 BALLOTS

Ballot #1: The Autograph

The Franken campaign challenged this ballot, arguing the voter left an identifying mark on the ballot. Minnesota law states: "If a ballot is marked by distinguishing characteristics in a manner making it evident that the voter intended to identify the ballot, the entire ballot is defective." (Caroline Yang for MPR)

Ballot #2: The Pencil

The Coleman campaign questioned this Ramsey County ballot because while the oval for the Presidency was filled in with pen, the rest were filled in with pencil, calling into question whether the ballot had been properly duplicated. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

Ballot #3: The X Factor

The Franken campaign challenged this ballot in Ramsey County, arguing the voter drew an "X" in over the oval for Norm Coleman, signifying the voter's intent to cross-out the vote for Coleman. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

Ballot #4: The Bachmen

The Franken campaign challenged this ballot in Ramsey County where the voter appears to have written "Bachmen" — presumably a reference to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann — in the write-in field. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/

[rocks 494]

poor norm. he lost the most votes there.

signing your ballot is stupid, so is filling it out in pencil. the cross over the oval one was probably a mistake where they crossed it first and realised that they were supposed to fill in the oval. i don't know what to make of the last one though, maybe they changed their mind at the last minute?

[Teacher Mark 53]

1.) Throw out.

2.) Throw out.

3.) Legit.

4.) Throw Out.