The process was a welcome field trip away from the standard classroom lecture for a high school European history class today. Wade Johnson's 30 Detroit Lakes High School students got a peek at history in the making.

"I just wanted to see it through," 17-year-old Cara Berger said, sporting a Franken T-shirt. "This election was historical enough. Now this."

She and her classmates admitted watching the ballot count was "a lot more exciting" than taking notes in class. "We want to see some challengers," Berger added with a smile.

There were 18 challenges issued - seven by Al Franken's observers and 11 by Norm Coleman observers.

Marilyn Beyer, one of the election judges, said some of the challenges from both parties were “very frivolous.”

“It seemed like they wanted to challenge just to send something to the canvassing board,” Beyer said.

She said none of the challenges at her table appeared to be legitimate.

Deputy Auditor Sue Johanson said the challenges at her table were for voter intent, and she thought the voters' intent was clear.

Beyer said she gave up her Saturday morning to help with the recount because it’s history in the making.

“How many chances are you going to have to be involved in a recount?” Beyer said.

Several ballots have been challenged by each side – primarily for distinguishing marks or voter intent.

Each time one side issues a challenge, the other side scoffs, often calling the challenge frivolous.

Other arguments have erupted about the rules of the recount and how many observers can be standing at each table.

The auditor and other officials have asked at least twice to stop fighting and be professional.

A court security guard on staff moved closer to the tables after voices starting raising.

Workers are counting the final three precincts and should be done soon.

The effort got underway at 8 a.m. in the Breckenridge courtroom. The staff counting the Norm Coleman and Al Franken ballots seem like they've been well prepared for today because the process is moving quickly.

About 10 volunteers from each campaign are observing the process.Wilkin County Attorney Timothy Fox is on hand in case any issues arise.

So far Franken volunteers have challenged two ballots. One had what the volunteer called a “distinguishing mark” and the other had a small mark in the oval for Dean Barkley.

Wilkin County Auditor Wayne Bezenek expects the process to be done around noon.

Results from Election Day showed Coleman with 1,814 votes in Wilkin County to Franken’s 1,074.

One funny observation from today: Bezenek instructed workers to place Coleman's ballots to the left of the table and Franken's ballots on the right.

A mail-in ballot was challenged, on the basis of pencil versus pen. The majority of the ballot was in pencil, except for the Coleman/Franken race. That race was in pen, and the pen scribbled for Franken.

It was the first challenged ballot of the day, and the Coleman challenge basis was "inconsistency."

About 12 people are present for the recount. Could it be that the person stopped voting, and came back later?

A conundrum at the courthouse...

There was no vote for the President or the outdoors amendment on the ballot, but the Senatorial race was challenged.

Other than that, it's been fairly quiet in Mahnomen.

-and less than half an hour later, the Franken camp challenges a ballot, based on voter intent. Two contested ballots.

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