Coleman files appeal, asks for court to add or remove votes

As expected, Norm Coleman's legal team officially filed their appeal brief with the Minnesota Supreme Court Thursday in their continued fight for the U.S. Senate seat.

His main arguments: Count more votes, toss out votes, or let's just redo this whole thing. Coleman's case focuses on absentee ballots and ensuring that all absentee votes counted are held to the same standard and additional ballots that fit that standard are included.

Franken currently holds a 312-vote lead after a three-judge panel determined he received the most votes in the 2008 election. More from the Pioneer Press:

Franken and his lawyers didn't issue statements after Thursday's appeal. Attorney Marc Elias has said previously he believes any Coleman appeal would fail.

The Republican doesn't actually ask to be declared the winner but rather for the state high court to remand the case back to the three-judge panel with new guidance, preferably, to open and count more rejected absentee ballots.

Or, the appeal offers, some ballots could be un-counted.

Or the court could determine that a trial court "cannot certify a winner." However, Minnesota law does not provide for the Supreme Court to order a new election.

Read the full appeal here.

So what can you expect in the weeks to come?
May 11: Franken files response
May 15: Coleman responds to Franken response
June 1: Oral arguments
Possibly by June 31: A ruling