Every vote counts - a fact heavily scrutinized in Becker County as 61 ballots initially left out of election results were added Monday as the recount in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race began.
"In Becker County, it's the first time we've had that situation," County Auditor Ryan Tangen said. "At least their vote will count for this race."
The 61 ballots come from various precincts, Tangen said, and weren't counted in election results due to "election oversight."
The extra ballots will be counted today as the recount continues in Becker County.
There were also four ballots initially missing from Holmesville Township, but they were recovered and counted then.
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The county - one of the last in the area to go through the process - recounted 14 of its 48 precincts Monday, with the two campaigns challenging 25 ballots.
And while Tangen set aside two and a half days to go through the more than 17,000 ballots, he was confident they could wrap up the 34 precincts today.
"The way things are going we may be done before lunch tomorrow," Tangen said. "That's great news."
Another positive part of Monday - the interaction between campaigns was mostly amicable, sharing cookies and water.
That was a disappointment, though, for 17-year-old Cara Berger, who was hoping for some heated ballot challenges.
While the process was relatively quiet, the Detroit Lakes High School junior admitted the brief field trip to the county courthouse was "a lot more exciting" than taking notes on European history.
"I just kind of wanted to see it through," said Berger, sporting a Franken T-shirt. "This election was historical enough. Now this."
For the 75 to 80 high school history and government students, it was a real life peek at Minnesota history in the making.
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"We don't get to witness history much," teacher Wade Johnson said. "This is our shot."
