DFLer Al Franken was certified the top vote-getter in the U.S. Senate recount with a margin of 225 votes out of some 2.9 million cast.

The state Canvassing Board's certification is not the same as declaring Franken the winner. At the outset of Monday's meeting, the board's chairman, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, said: "We're not doing anything today that declares winners [or] losers."

The reason: There is a seven-day period before Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Ritchie can issue an election certificate. If Republican Norm Coleman proceeds with plans to file an "election contest," or lawsuit, a certificate could not be issued until the contest was completed.

• Earlier Monday, the state Supreme Court rejected Coleman's request to reconsider 654 absentee ballots that the campaign says were wrongly rejected. The court did not rule on the merits of the arguments but said the matter could be pursued in an election contest.

COMING UP

Today: The Coleman campaign is expected to file an election contest. The U.S. Senate convenes.