sentences:  According to the AP, MPR and the "Star Tribune", the resolution of these challenges marked the first time Franken had taken a lead in the recount.On December 30, the board finished reallocating the withdrawn challenges, completing that phase of the recount and leaving Franken with a 49-vote lead.One of the last—and largest—sources of uncertainty was the absentee ballots that had been improperly rejected by election officials during the original count.