Minn. Supreme Court Tackles Senate Race

Five Minn. Supreme Court justices will weigh in today on whether problems with absentee ballots constitute a reversal of a lower-court ruling seven months ago that gave Democrat Al Franken a 312-vote lead over Republican Norm Coleman in Senate elections. If the ruling swings in favor of Coleman, he wouldn’t be put on the Senate immediately, but would stand a chance. Most Minnesotans say Coleman should concede, and nearly two-thirds believe that Franken will be declared the winner, but several former Minn. Supreme Court justices said the case would be examined carefully absent from pressure and publicity. “The impatience of the people just has to be put aside,” said one former justice. “You want a correct decision at this stage, not a fast decision.”