The Alexandria Echo Press reports in Franson keeps 11-vote edge after recount in Douglas County:
The race in Minnesota House District 8B is still razor thin following a state-ordered recount in Douglas County Wednesday morning.
After ballots from all 17 precincts were recounted, Republican incumbent Mary Franson and DFL challenger Bob Cunniff each picked up one additional vote.
The recount will now switch to the other county in the district, Otter Tail, where ballots will be scrutinized tomorrow. . . .
Only two ballots were challenged. Cunniff challenged a ballot in Carlos Township and Franson questioned a ballot in Alexandria Ward 3. Those challenges will be sent on the State Canvassing Board to consider at its meeting on December 4.
In past recounts, a number of ballots were the subject of arguments about voter intent. Such ballots could determine the outcome of races as close as in House District 8B.
Challenged ballots will be posted on the secretary of state’s Web site (www.sos.state.mn.us) when available.
According to data on the Secretary of State's HD8B recount page, Franson received 4798 votes in Otter Tail County, while 3790 people voted for Cunniff. It's unlikely that the recount will change the winner
The Star Tribune's Jennifer Brooks provides "color" reporting in Every vote counts, and recounts, in House District 8B race, closing with a parting thought by Franson:
"Mr. Cunniff is very well known here in Alexandria. He's kind of an icon in the area," Franson said. "I didn't spend nearly as much time as I should have campaigning in Alexandria. ... I've learned a lot of lessons, from being first elected to being re-elected. (I think I'm) growing up with the job."
The most important lesson? Franson, who made headlines and sparked protests at the Capitol after her food stamp comments, said she's learned that "explanation is everything. If you're going to say something big, you'd better soften the blow first."
It's unlikely that that the results will change with tomorrow's count. Representative Franson was confident enough to tweet that she had bought two Powerball tickets for tonight's enormo $550 million+ jackpot. Who can blame her?
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If I was a voter in the affected precincts in Alexandria, I would be quite upset at how this turned out. Yes, elections are run by humans, and humans can make mistakes, but to have my ballot potentially thrown out at random does not sit well with me.
And yet, there is not other remedy available apparently.
Posted by: Mike Worcester | Nov 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM