Donald Trump Supporters File Suit to Stop Wisconsin Recount
A pair of pro-Donald Trump superPACs filed a federal lawsuit to halt a recount of votes in Wisconsin, one of three states that were key to Trump’s stunning victory in the presidential race.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Madison late on Thursday by the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and voter Ronald R. Johnson. It seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the recount, arguing that it violates the due process clause of the Constitution and that it “may unjustifiably cast doubt upon the legitimacy of President Donald J. Trump’s victory.”
The also contend that “there is no reasonable assurance” that the recount can “accurately and carefully” be conducted by Dec. 13, the so-called “safe harbor” deadline set by Congress for states to certify their results in advance of the electoral collage vote later this month.
But officials with the Wisconsin Elections Board, which started the recount this week at the request of Green Party candidate Jill Stein, said on Twitter that it could continue “unless a judge orders otherwise. Keep counting!” Stein has been raising money online to pay for the recount, as is required by law.
Matthew D. Brinckerhoff, lead counsel for the Stein recount effort, said that they plan “to intervene and join the Wisconsin Elections Commission in defending the recount. Citizens in Wisconsin and across the country have made it clear that they want a recount and deserve to see this process through to ensure integrity in the vote.”
Meanwhile, the attorney general of Michigan, Bill Schuette, on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to block any potential recount there, according to the Associated Press. Stein is also seeking a recount in that state. The Trump campaign also is asking state elections officials to block the recount there, arguing that Stein does not have a vested interest given that she received just 1% of the vote.
Stein also is seeking a recount in Pennsylvania.
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