The Minnesota Supreme Court today turned down Al Franken’s request for a certificate of election that would have cleared the way for him to be seated in the U.S. Senate.

State law forbids the issuance of such a certificate while the matter is still being contested, the court said (PDF). 

Franken had wanted the high court to require the governor and secretary of state to issue the needed document.

Ben Ginsberg, legal spokesman for the Coleman for Senate campaign, quickly hailed the ruling.  

“The Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for Minnesota Law and Minnesotans,” he said. “This wise ruling will ensure that Harry Reid, Al Franken and Chuck Schumer cannot short-circuit Minnesota Law in their partisan power play.”