Coleman denied request for Minnesota ballot inspection

A three-judge panel on Friday rejected Republican Norm Coleman's request to investigate alleged vote-counting irregularities that may have contributed to his opponent's lead in Minnesota's Senate race after a recount.

"The court is not convinced that another inspection of the ballots is efficient or needed to prepare for trial," the judges wrote.

The recount trial starts Monday and is expected to last weeks.

Coleman's lawyers had identified 86 precincts where they said problems may have contributed to Democrat Al Franken's 225-vote lead.

Coleman is suing to overturn the result.

Franken's attorneys had said Coleman's request was a fishing expedition for votes.

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Coleman just needs to get over it - he lost!