The Minnesota Supreme Court held a hearing this morning on the appeal by Norm Coleman over a lower court's ruling that Democrat Al Franken was the winner of the 2008 Senate election, as he led at the conclusion of the recount.

From the Star Tribune:

Five justices heard an hour of arguments on whether problems with absentee ballots justify reversing a lower-court ruling that declared DFLer Al Franken a 312-vote winner over Republican Norm Coleman. [snip]

Justice Alan Page concluded the hearing saying only that a decision would be forthcoming, offering no indication when that might be. However, a ruling is expected from the court sometime this month.

If the court were to uphold the lower-court ruling, that could end the protracted struggle and allow Franken to join the Senate, giving Democrats 60 votes and the ability to fend off Republican filibusters.

So, the wait continues. It's still unclear how much longer the wait will be, including after the Court releases its decision.

"The bottom line is Al Franken got more votes and that is why Al Franken won the election, why Al Franken won the recount, why Al Franken won the election contest, and why he should soon prevail in the Minnesota Supreme Court," Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said following the hearing's conclusion. "We have always said Norm Coleman deserves his day in court, but the Minnesota court system should be the end of the road for former Senator Coleman."