MinnLawyer Blog

The eyes of the nation are trained on the Minnesota Supreme Court, where the senatorial battle of the century is entering what may very well be its final leg. Barring the intercession of the of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Minnesota appellate court will have the final word on whether Al Franken should be seated as the nation’s newest senator or if, as Norm Coleman maintains, further steps are necessary to ensure the integrity of the result. At stake is the very power balance of the country. Should the seat be awarded to Franken, Democrats will have a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate at a time when the confirmation hearings of a U.S. Supreme court appointee are imminent.

It’s a lot of pressure for the five Minnesota justices who will hear the case — Paul Anderson, Christoper Dietzen, Lori Gildea, Helen Meyer and Alan Page. (Two of the seven justices — Chief Justice Eric Magnuson and Justice G. Barry Anderson — recused themselves due to their participation on the state canvassing board.)

Starting Monday at 8:30 a.m., you can watch video coverage of the oral arguments live on theuptake.org. The actual arguments start at 9:00 a.m. (Click here to learn more about the legal issues involved.)

Watch this blog for updates.