We noticed a man who lives on Freeborn County Road 45 between Clarks Grove and Geneva still had one last political sign up. It was for Sen. Norm Coleman.

On Monday afternoon, we saw he was out there taking it down — or so it looked that way as we drove past.

We hope he puts it back up.

Why?

Because there isn’t a winner yet. Coleman hasn’t lost; Franken hasn’t won. It’s not over.

After the state Canvassing Board certifies the results, there is a seven-day period to challenge the certification in a lawsuit. Coleman’s lawyer on Monday said Coleman intends to sue, probably filing today. That keeps Franken from getting the election certificate he needs to take a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was right in pointing out that all the Canvassing Board did Monday was certify its counting of the ballots. Franken was on top. It did not declare a winner.

The Coleman sign on County 45 can remain there and probably stay for the next several months as this drags through the courts. No one likes that it has dragged on so long. Minnesota is in jeopardy of failing to have properly elected representation in the U.S. Senate.

But this is the ugly situation as it stands. Keep that sign up until the winner is declared.