Enlarge By Eric Miller, Reuters Democrat Al Franken, the former "Saturday Night Live" personality, ended the recount up by 225 votes, a thin margin in a race where more than 2.9 million votes were cast. BALLOT BATTLE TIMELINE BALLOT BATTLE TIMELINE Nov. 4

Sen. Norm Coleman holds a slim lead election evening, but state law mandates a recount. Votes:

Coleman: 1,211,590

Franken: 1,211,375

Vote lead: Coleman +215 Dec. 5

After a hand recount, several thousand challenged votes are deducted from both candidates' totals. Votes:

Coleman: 1,208,935

Franken: 1,208,747

Vote lead: Coleman +188 Dec. 30

A further review of challenged votes puts Al Franken in the lead. Votes:

Coleman: 1,211,901

Franken: 1,211,950

Vote lead: Franken +49 Jan. 5

Minnesota's State Canvassing Board certifies the results of the recount, confirming Franken's lead. Votes:

Coleman: 1,212,206

Franken: 1,212,431

Vote lead: Franken +225 Sources: Minnesota Secretary of State, the Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP)  Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken won a weeks-long recount in Minnesota on Monday and declared victory in the race even though the final outcome could be determined by a state court. State election officials certified that Franken, a former comedian, had won 225 more votes than his Republican opponent, Sen. Norm Coleman. Tony Trimble, Coleman's lawyer, said the campaign will challenge the result as early as today. "This victory is incredibly humbling — not just because it was so narrow, but because of the tremendous responsibility it gives me on behalf of the people of Minnesota," Franken said from St. Paul. Franken called for an orderly transition to avoid any disruption in serving Minnesota residents only hours after the Senate ordered Coleman to close his offices in St. Paul and Washington. Coleman's term, which began in 2003, officially ended Friday. Congress reconvenes today. Minnesota's Senate race is the last contest in the nation still undecided from the November election. The bitter dispute carried over into Washington on Monday as Senate leaders debated whether Franken had won. "There comes a time when you have to acknowledge that the race is over," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., disagreed: "The race in Minnesota is not over." Election officials, including Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, said state law requires a seven-day period before he and the governor sign the official certificate declaring a winner. Until then, Coleman may ask a court to review the results. "This process isn't at an end," said Trimble. "It is now just at the beginning." Coleman, who once had a 215-vote lead out of 2.9 million cast, has lost previous court battles. On Monday, Minnesota's Supreme Court denied his request to count 654 absentee ballots rejected by local election officials. Edward Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University who is monitoring the Minnesota race, said state courts have turned down many of Coleman's requests on procedural grounds. Now Coleman has an opportunity to be heard on the merits of his case. "It's his burden to show that the wrong person was declared the winner," Foley said. It is unclear whether Senate Democrats will attempt to seat Franken before the official certification is signed. If Franken wins, Democrats could have an 18-vote majority in the Senate, depending on what the Senate decides to do about the Illinois seat left vacant by Democratic President-elect Barack Obama. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has refused to sign an election certificate to fill Obama's seat with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick, former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris. Senate rules require the signatures of White and Blagojevich, who made his selection after being arrested in an ongoing federal corruption probe. Burris on Monday said he will arrive on Capitol Hill today to be sworn in. "We'll go there and see what transpires," he said. Reid has said he will meet with Senate leaders Wednesday to discuss Burris. Contributing: Judy Keen in Chicago and the Associated Press Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more