The observers at the recount at Golden Valley City Hall whispered to each other so as not to disturb the sorting. It was a distinct contrast to the three other locations I’ve visited so far today. The election officials themselves were silent, allowing the representatives to sit by their side or watch over their shoulder as they took one stack and made it three.

After seeing so many filled-in bubbles, “your eyes get buggy after a while,” said Coleman representative Mike Vallante, who came to Golden Valley from St. Paul.

Nevertheless, the representatives were determined not to let anything slip by. As of 2:30 p.m., two challenged ballots were on their way to the state Canvassing Board, both courtesy of Al Franken’s representatives. They were both counted as “overvotes” because bubbles for both Franken and Coleman were filled in, said head recount official Sue Virnig. In each case, the filled bubble for Coleman appeared to be crossed out. In Virnig’s view, the intent was unclear. But a Franken representative said: send them to St. Paul.

The first three recounted precincts in Golden Valley have resulted in no net change, as Franken gained a vote in one precinct and lost one in another.

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