By Justin Reis
A state-funded hand recount of the election votes will happen as Democrat nominee Mark Dayton leads Republican Tom Emmer by around 9,000 votes.
Dayton's lead by 0.42 percentage points is a difference that requires a recount, the Pioneer Press said. Some Republicans are doubting the win after the recount, but a lawsuit may what they need to get ahead.
According to the Pioneer Press, and GOP Chairman Tony Sutton, the lawsuit would encompass machine jams or possible irregularities.
The recount process is familiar because of the 2008 recount between senator nominees Norm Coleman and Al Franken. In their case, Coleman had legitimate legal grounds, it is not clear if the same would be for Emmer, the Star Tribune reported.
"There would need to be problems in the voting process that are violations of the law that could make a difference in the outcome," Edward Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University, said.
If a recount happens, Dec. 14 is the day to Dec. 14 to certify the results.
