It is five months and counting now since Minnesotans cast their ballots for the U.S. Senate election, and we still don't have anyone sitting in the vacant seat in the nation's Capitol. Minnesotans are growing impatient.

Still, there are serious questions being raised by the Norm Coleman campaign. Thousands of absentee ballots were rejected in some counties that would have been accepted in others, says Coleman. Was it inconsistent application of rules? The three judges who are hearing the post-election lawsuit brought by Coleman have issued rulings that allow some of those ballots back in, but not others that Coleman thinks should qualify.

Whether Coleman or Franken ultimately takes the Senate seat is a big issue, but so is the idea that Minnesota's absentee voters get a fair shake. Their votes should be counted if they follow the rules, no matter which county they live in.

Coleman is planning on appealing the upcoming court decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court. He deserves, and Minnesota deserves, answers to his questions. Minnesota can and should do more to assure all who want to vote get to do so.