Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the request from Al Franken’s attorney to issue a certificate of election.

“I have a duty to follow state law and our statutes are clear on this issue. I am prohibited from issuing a certificate of election until the election contest in the courts has been resolved.”

Please see Minnesota Statutes 204C.40, Subdivision 2:

204C.40 CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION.
Subdivision 2. Time of issuance; certain offices.

No certificate of election shall be issued until seven days after the canvassing board has declared the result of the election. In case of a contest, an election certificate shall not be issued until a court of proper jurisdiction has finally determined the contest. This subdivision shall not apply to candidates elected to the office of state senator or representative.

Online at https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=204C.40&year=2008