Opening Day Of Minn. Gov Recount: Dayton Still Up

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Day one of the Minnesota governor's race recount is in the books, and Democrat Mark Dayton is still in the lead.

Election officials across the state plowed through 947,000 ballots on Monday. Dayton picked up 20 extra votes and Republican Tom Emmer shed four compared with their pre-recount tallies. Emmer challenged 281 ballots, which was three times more than Dayton.

The pace of challenges on the opening day exceeded the level of challenges seen on the first day of the 2008 U.S. Senate recount. But this year all the counties started the recount at once rather than a staggered start two years ago.

Ballot challenges that aren't withdrawn will go before the state canvassing board for a decision next week. The recount is supposed to end Dec. 14.

Democrat Mark Dayton held an 8,770-vote lead over Republican Tom Emmer in unofficial results before a statewide recount. A challenged ballot is not awarded to either candidate until reviewed by the canvassing board. The Minnesota Secretary of State is reporting the progress of the recount by comparing each completed precinct with its Nov. 2 vote totals:

Precincts recounted: 62.55 percent
Percent of votes recounted: 44.65 percent

Dayton net: plus 20
Emmer net: minus 4

Ballots challenged by Dayton: 86
Ballots challenged by Emmer: 281

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