Report: Franken leads Coleman by 48 votes

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Democrat Al Franken leads incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by 48 votes in the Minnesota U.S. Senate recount, figures compiled by state officials indicate.

Some ballot challenges remain to be resolved and approximately 1,500 improperly rejected absentee ballots are still at issue, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported late Monday, basing its conclusion on an analysis of a draft report from the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.

Franken's lead is down from Friday, when he was up by 251 votes, the newspaper said.

The Franken campaign said Saturday it believed he will unseat Coleman by 35 to 50 votes when the recount is completed.