US Democrats get key senate seat
Delayed election result could help Barack Obama push through his agenda in congress.
Franken, an author and former comedian appearing on the popular Saturday Night Live television programme, “received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled … to receive the certificate of election as United States senator from the State of Minnesota”, the court ruling said.
The two candidates had been engaged in a months-long legal fight over the validity of the November 4 election.
A series of recounts in the state gave Franken a victory of just 312 votes over Coleman, prompting the Republican to challenge the accuracy of the recount.
Tim Pawlenty, the Minnesota governor and a Republican, is now expected to formally grant the senate seat to Franken.