Recount in Key States

The recount in the battleground state could potentially cost taxpayers upwards of $12 million, according to Michigan Republican Party leaders.

The recount was supposed to begin in two counties on Friday, and in other counties over the weekend.

Stein and her campaign have raised $6.5 million toward recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, three states critical to Republican Donald Trump’s victory in the Electoral College.

Mark Brewer, one of Stein’s lawyers, countered: “The law is very clear that once a candidate files a petition, that the board shall conduct a recount”.

But there’s a big reason to be skeptical: This assumes that most or all Green Party voters, particularly in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, would go to Clinton had they not voted for Stein.

In the filing, Trump alleges the recount would go beyond the December 13 deadline for MI to certify its electors. Stein attacked Clinton throughout the campaign and even protested, as did groups like Food and Water Watch. “We have dozens of workers who were prepared to assist with the recount in Ingham County starting tomorrow, but due to the objection, they have been put on hold, until we may begin the recount process”.

Stein had said she had no evidence of fraud going into a recount of ballots in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and MI, but wanted to ensure the integrity of the election. The state of Nevada allows any candidate to file for a recount, as long as they cover the estimated cost of the proposed recount. If Michigan were to turn over to Clinton, Trump would retain 290 electoral votes, 20 above the 270 threshold needed to win the presidency. The Green Party candidate, who received negligible support among MI voters, has never said her outcome would change.

But state Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, introduced a bill Thursday which would require people asking for recounts in statewide election races pay the entire recount bill.

The recount, she says, “is an answer to widespread distrust and cynicism that is pretty pervasive out there these days…”

Stein’s attorneys submitted a 3,250 check at the state Bureau of Elections Wednesday (the legally required fee for a recount), leaving the remaining cost on state and county governments.

The integrity of the electoral process is at stake, which is why the recount must move forward, and Trump’s bid to stop the recount will only serve to fuel voter doubts about the result of 2016’s presidential election.

Meanwhile in Wisconsin, where Trump defeated Clinton by roughly 22,000 votes, Stein’s campaign said it won’t appeal a judge’s ruling that Wisconsin’s recount can be done without counting every ballot by hand.