Mining the Minnesota Recount

More than two and a half months after the general election, Minnesota still only has one senator. We try to explain why.

Norm Coleman was leading going into the recount by over two hundred votes Over Al Franken, but On Jan. 5, 2009 the Canvassing Board declared that the result of their recount put Al Franken over Norm Coleman by two hundred and twenty five votes. Norm Coleman is challenging the board's certification. From what the article states, Coleman never suggested any funny business from the five members of the Canvassing Board (Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team (and during elections a candidate) will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters. Canvassing may also be performed by telephone, where it is referred to as telephone canvassing. The main purpose of canvassing is to perform voter identification - how individuals are planning to vote - rather than to argue with or persuade voters.[1] This preparation is an integral part of a 'get out the vote' operation, in which known supporters are contacted on polling day and reminded to cast their ballot) Definition from Dictionary.com. The appeal has gone in front of a three judge panel starting on the 26th of January. It could take several weeks for the panel to come to a decision. If I felt that I was treated unfair, I would express my rights and have it further reviewed. In this situation it seems like someone is just mad because they were beat, but every one is different.

This is an example of a healthy example of a representative democracy, because Coleman is expressing his right to have a fair election. This is an example of the constitution and the branch responsibilities.