The Minnesota State Canvassing Board heard more arguments over challenged ballots Tuesday in St. Paul.  It's likely a winner won't be declared in the Senate race until well into the New Year.  In fact, it's looking more likely that the new Congress will be sworn in before the race ends. 

Many residents wanted a filled Senate seat for Christmas.

The ballot recount in Luverne has been finished for weeks.  But knowing officials at the capitol won't have the seat filled until next year has many residents on Main Street concerned. 

"I think they're getting really nit-picky over the whole thing. It's about time they just get it over with," Marv Wassenaar of Luverne said. 

"I am pretty amazed that I've been out of the country for two and a half weeks and we still don't have a senator here," Jessa Dahl of Luverne said. 

For some, the start of the recount process seems like a distant memory.  It's why many are frustrated it's drawn on this long. 

"It's getting to the point now that everybody is just getting sick of it." Wassenaar said. 

And one person says the recount process is cutting into precious family time for election officials. 

"It's cutting into Christmas holiday and the New Year. Most people don't get time to spend with their family. And so I think that it's taking way too long," Trisha Goembel said. 

But many are hoping an undisputed winner is declared soon, so the state can move forward.

Residents also say the voting and recount process should be re-examined to make sure future recounts won't take this long.