Judge's ruling sides with Franken's camp

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A judge has granted a request by Al Franken's U.S. Senate campaign to gain access to data about absentee ballots that were disqualified.

The ballots were tossed out in Ramsey County, which heavily favored the Democratic candidate in the general-election vote this month, The Hill reported. Franken is challenging Sen. Norm Coleman, a Republican.

The judge specifically ordered Ramsey County to produce voter data that could be of use to the Franken campaign by the end of business Wednesday.

"The harm that (the Franken campaign) would suffer absent a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction far outweighs any harm to (Ramsey County)," Judge Dale Lindman wrote. "With each passing hour, the Franken campaign is irreparably harmed in its efforts to ensure that each valid vote is properly counted and to prepare for the procedures that will decide this election."

Minnesota has nearly 3 million ballots that will have to be gone over one at a time to determine the winner in the closely watched contest.

The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported Wednesday the recount will be conducted at more than 100 sites around the state.