NATIONAL BRIEFING / MINNESOTA
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Democrat Al Franken’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat received a boost from a three-judge panel’s ruling that limited the number of votes that remain to be counted, but his Republican rival promised to appeal.
Norm Coleman’s lawyer, Ben Ginsberg, said the ruling to count 400 previously excluded absentee ballots next week meant it was a long shot that Coleman could overtake Franken’s 225-vote lead. Coleman contends that 1,360 ballots should be added to the tally.
If Franken wins, Democrats will control 59 of the 100 Senate seats -- including the two independents who caucus with them. That would leave them one vote shy of a filibuster-proof majority.
Marc Elias, Franken’s lawyer, agreed the ruling favored Franken. “The math is the math,” he said.
Ginsberg said the court’s rulings would be appealed to the state Supreme Court -- and possibly beyond -- keeping the seat vacant.
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