Court denies Franken election certificate

The Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Democrat Al Franken’s petition to be awarded an election certificate, which would have ended his standoff against Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in the state’s senate race.

The Supreme Court said that Franken could not be awarded a certificate until the court challenges to the election have been completed, and reasoned the constitution does not require that senators be seated by January.

The court also noted in its decision the possibility that the Senate could just as easily choose to seat Franken without a certificate of election.

“The Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for Minnesota Law and Minnesotans,” Coleman attorney Ben Ginsberg said after the decision. “This wise ruling will ensure that Harry Reid, Al Franken and Chuck Schumer cannot short-circuit Minnesota Law in their partisan power play.”

The decision leaves in place the continuing, undecided election. Franken leads by a 225-vote margin as certified by a state board in January.