Elections chief pledges to resist political pressure on recount (MN) [View All]

[struggle4progress]

Source: Star Tribune

When Republican operatives challenged shifting vote tallies, the secretary of state, a DFLer, chided them for "denigrating" the process.
By PAT DOYLE
Last update: November 9, 2008 - 10:10 PM

... Secretary of State Mark Ritchie pledges to oversee a fair, accurate and open recount of the nearly 2.9 million ballots in the Senate race ...

Ritchie acknowledged that his office will face pressure over the next few weeks, but pledged to resist it.

"People who are the most active have a kind of bias to want to get <results> fast," he said of the recount. "Election administrators have a bias for wanting it correct, transparent and trusted. We know there will be pressure for fast, faster, get it done. We will not be swayed by those demands."

A recount requires ballot verification by precinct in each county and allows the public and representatives of the candidates to watch. Disputes over contested ballots go to the state canvassing board, made up of two state Supreme Court justices, two district court judges and chaired by the secretary of state ...

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34181604.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

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The official count, then the recount
Last update: November 9, 2008 - 10:08 PM

Minnesota counties will present their final 2008 election vote tallies today, paving the way for mandatory recounts in four races, including the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said Sunday.

The county reports will go to the 87 county canvassing boards, who will forward the tallies to the secretary of state's office. Ritchie will submit the findings to the state canvassing board Nov. 18 ...

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34182749.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EPaL_V_9E7ODiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU