Officials turn down Franken’s request for certificate in Minn. Senate race

Democrat Al Franken was quickly turned down Monday when he asked Minnesota’s governor and secretary of state to issue an election certificate that would let him take office in the Senate.

In letters the campaign sent to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Democratic Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Franken’s lawyers argued a seven-day waiting period for issuing the certificate after an election has passed. But the state officials said their hands were tied by state law and they could not act.

Franken led Republican Norm Coleman by 225 votes after a statewide recount that was completed Jan. 5.

Coleman is suing over the result, claiming there were irregularities on Election Day and during the recount.

Minnesota law prevents officials from issuing an election certificate until legal matters are resolved. But Franken’s legal team argues that federal election law entitles Franken to receive the certificate before the lawsuit is settled.

“The people of Minnesota are down a senator in the U.S. Senate. This is an opportunity for Governor Pawlenty and Secretary Ritchie to ensure the interests of all Minnesotans are represented in Washington,” Franken lawyer Marc Elias told reporters in a conference call. He didn’t rule out a lawsuit.