Recount Videos

West Hartford was the unlucky winner in a random drawing conducted on Wednesday, November 10th, to determine voting precincts subject to audit following last week's election. Three of West Hartford's voting districts were randomly selected by Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, and the town will now have to fund the manual counting of several thousand paper ballots. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Richmond stand-up comedian Chris Martin does stand-up comedy at Cafe Diem July 20, dispensing Uighur and vagina jokes and discussing his birthday and the economy.

After 7 weeks of trial, Minnesotans can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow, Team Franken will provisionally rest their counterclaims. Both sides will then have a chance at rebuttal and then closing arguments. The question remains: will the winner of this phase be awarded a certificate of election from Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty and Democrat Secretary of State Mark Ritchie?

By Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent On Wed. Feb 25th lawyers for former Senator Norm Coleman made a presentation of illegally cast absentee ballot envelopes from St. Louis county whose ballots were counted on November 4th, 2008. Many of the envelopes appear to be clearly filled out by the same person. They are all missing voter signatures. The Coleman campaign has observed the oddity as well but as of yet has not received an explanation from St. Louis county election officials. The UpTake is investigating. This is RAW video.

Is a ballot more like a traffic accident or a story? Listen to the lawyers from the Norm Coleman and Al Franken US Senate campaigns and decide for yourself.

2008 was a wild ride. Check out the top 10 moments from this past year! -Doug

Coleman campaign lawyer Tony Trimble, in response to the MN Canvassing Board handling of challenged ballots, says they will both add and remove ballots challenged by Coleman. Filmed by Chuck Olsen for The UpTake on Dec. 16, 2008. More at http://theuptake.org **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1463/

MN Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the state canvassing board decided the fate of 160 challenged ballots on the first day, eventually reaching a pace of 40/hour. Ritchie emphasized, "Get rid of frivolous challenges," citing the example of "just a dot" in one oval when another is completely filled in. Ritchie didn't guarantee the process would be finished by the end of the week, stating the need for the process to be accurate until it's finished. Filmed by Chuck Olsen for The UpTake on Dec. 16, 2008. More at http://theuptake.org **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1467/

More at http://www.theuptake.org. Franken attorney Marc Elias gave an audio-only press conference from DC today. While most of the conference was a repeat from previous days, news broke of 171 missing ballots in Ramsey County.

Sen. Norm Coleman returned to Minnesota to visit an Xcel Energy nuclear plant training facility after several days working in Washington D.C. This was one of the first opportunities reporters had to question Coleman on the ongoing recount. Sen. Coleman discusses ballot challenges and nuclear energy. **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1343/

At the Hennepin County elections warehouse in Minneapolis, one calm person is in the eye of the storm between election judges, the media, and campaign lawyers: Cindy Reichert, Director of Elections for Minneapolis. Cindy describes the challenges that arose on the first day of Minnesota's senate recount. We also take a look at a sampling of challenged ballots, including a glimpse of a "Mickey Mouse" ballot, and a bit of MN GOP chair Ron Carey being interviewed. Produced by Chuck Olsen for The UpTake: http://theuptake.org **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1337/

At the Hennepin County elections warehouse in Minneapolis, one calm person is in the eye of the storm between election judges, the media, and campaign lawyers: Cindy Reichert, Director of Elections for Minneapolis. Cindy describes the challenges that arose on the first day of Minnesota's senate recount. We also take a look at a sampling of challenged ballots, including a glimpse of a "Mickey Mouse" ballot, and a bit of MN GOP chair Ron Carey being interviewed. Produced by Chuck Olsen for The UpTake: http://theuptake.org

Lawyers for Norm Coleman and Al Franken dueled in Minnesota while the state canvassing board reset the race to zero-zero and the recount begins. **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1321/

On Day 1 of the Minnesota Senate Recount between Al Franken and Senator Norm Coleman most recount locations ran smoothly and politely. However, there was a small amount of tension at the recount location in Ramsey County. Coleman campaign representative Bob Murray challenged two ballots that were for Franken. Ramsey County Elections Directory Joe Mansky declared the challenges "frivolous" and accepted the ballots for Franken. Franken's campaign representative had challenged one ballot for Coleman. Manksy held the ballot for Coleman and Franken's representative withdrew the challenge in deference to Manksy's decision

The Minnesota Senate race of 2008 is historic. After a long and sometimes brutal campaign between Norm Coleman and Al Franken, it has become the closest race in Minnesota history. The State Canvassing Board met on November 18, mandating a hand recount of all ballots. Lawyers and volunteers from both campaigns will be closely monitoring the more than 100 recount sites throughout the state. The UpTake has launched a citizen journalism-driven effort to videotape the ballot recount at every location possible. Citizens of Minnesota and the nation can ensure that the democratic process is transparent, documented, and protected. Record the Recount aims to place a camera-equipped volunteer at each recount site and upload the video to http://RecordTheRecount.com within 24 hours. A number of live mobile cameras will also be stationed in the most closely contested precincts so citizens can participate in real-time on http://TheUpTake.org All you need to participate is a digital video camera, and preferably a tripod. Email info@theuptake.org if you re interested in volunteering - we need YOU!

MN Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, responds to concerns raised by MN Senator Norm Coleman on whether or not Ritchie can manage the recount in a nonpartisan fashion. **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1291/

Lead consul for the Sen. Norm Coleman recount campaign, Fritz Knaak, comments on the MN Secretary of State, his faith that Coleman will win the recount and the staff, volunteers and lawyers the Coleman campaign is recruiting for the recount. Knaak assures reporters that despite the "hordes" of lawyers, it won't be that bad. The Franken campaign is also retaining lawyers and staff for the recount. **http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/1287/