[steveegg]

One could always follow the clear-meaning of the statute and tell the RATs that since their original guy died within 16 days, that Wellstone gets whatever votes were cast via the absentee ballot, Mondale gets whatever votes are cast at the polls, and if they don't win, to go pound sand.

[Hunble]

Now you have presented an option.

Any absentee ballots cast AFTER the death of Wellstone are counted as valid.