Out of NC Update

Just saw a couple updates about the US Senate races in Alaska and Minnesota and thought I would post them here. The news is good. Alaska is in our column as of right now, although the lead could see-saw back and forth. Minnesota is so close that it puts to rest the "one vote doesn't matter" myth forever.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Just as Sen. Ted Stevens appeared set to return to Congress, felony conviction and all, his re-election bid has faltered. If he loses, it also closes a possible door into the Senate anytime soon for Gov. Sarah Palin.

More after the break.

The Coleman-Franken recount state machinery is gearing up. Both sides are lining up lawyers for each of the 100+ recount sites (87 counties + multiple sites in larger cities.)
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Precincts and counties has been "certifying" their votes since Nov. 4: adding in absentee ballots, checking & correcting for math errors. During each day both candidates' numbers have moved up and down but the net has drifted toward Al Franken, from a Coleman lead of 775 to this morning's 206.

More after the break.

On Alaska:

As counting of early and absentee ballots continued in Stevens' race against Democrat Mark Begich, the contest for Alaska's only House seat was settled Wednesday, with the re-election of Republican incumbent Don Young for his 19th term.

In the Stevens race, Begich jumped to an 814-vote lead, after trailing by 3,200 when the day began. The tally late Wednesday was 132,196 to 131,382, with an estimated 30,000 ballots remaining to be counted, some on Friday and some next week.
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Should the Senate results remain close a recount is possible. In Alaska, the losing candidate or a collection of 10 voters has three days to petition for a recount unless the vote was a tie, in which case it would be automatic.

If the difference between the candidates is within 0.5 percent of the total votes cast, the state pays for the recount, to be started within three days of the recount petition. The state Elections Division has 10 days to complete the recount.

On Minnesota:

This morning's Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a story by Patricia Lopez for upcoming events.

1. On Nov. 19 Sec. of State Ritchie will "certify" the results from across the state (that the count is as corrected as can be so far.) This will certify that the difference between Coleman & Franken is less than 0.5% of the total votes cast, triggering an automatic, state-paid recount of all ballots. (Cost estimated= $86,000).

2. County election boards, watched by observers & lawyers from each campaign, will recount each paper ballot (and they are all paper) by hand, including absentees.

3. Any ballot in dispute where there is some question of the voter's intent will be set aside and sent to the state Canvassing Board.
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tandard will be "voter intent," Voter should fill in the dot (so machine can read.) Instead, did voter put an X on the dot? Circle the candidate's name? Cross out candidate they did NOT want? If intent can be determined (at county level or by State Board) vote will be counted. Otherwise it will be set aside.

If we get Alaska and Minnesota that gives us 57 Democratic seats, Bernie Sanders as 58, and if Lieberman accepts a demotion next session we'll be at 59. Suddenly, the run-off in Georgia becomes h-u-g-e, HUGE.