Jill Stein’s Michigan Election Recount Pending Federal Court: Judge Will Reveal Decision Later Today
As Jill Stein and the Green Party continue their efforts for a complete election recount in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Federal Court has announced that the Michigan recount is pending the Judge’s decision, which will be revealed later today, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Jill Stein has raised over $7 million so far, claiming that $9.5 million is needed for a complete recount in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. However, as the days go by, donations have significantly slowed down as many have become skeptical.
On the first day that Jill Stein announced that she and the Green Party were going to crowdfund in order to pay for an election recount in those three states, they were able to raise nearly double the goal, which was set at $2.5 million. After nearly $5 million was raised, Jill Stein raised the goal to $7 million. Within a couple of days, when the goal was closely reaching $7 million, she raised the goal again to $9.5 million.
https://twitter.com/LunarPandorium/status/804248699345899520
People are quickly changing their minds about what they thought would be a great cause. Now, some are wondering why Jill continues to raise the goal. She claims that each time she raised the goal that it was due to increasing cost, but many became furious when she announced that they would be dropping their efforts for a recount in Pennsylvania. So where would all that extra money go if they don’t pay for a recount in Pennsylvania?
Jill Stein has raised $7M to recount 3 states
Wisconsin cost $3.5M
Michigan cost $1M
She just dropped PA, says she's out of money
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 4, 2016
Well, after a day has passed, Jill Stein revealed that they have changed their minds and WILL continue fighting for a recount in Pennsylvania. But I thought they didn’t have enough money raised for Pennsylvania? Something seems a bit fishy here.
On Monday, I will escalate #Recount2016 in PA and file to demand a statewide recount on constitutional grounds. The people deserve answers.
— Dr. Jill Stein? (@DrJillStein) December 4, 2016
The lead counsel to Stein’s recount efforts, Jonathan Abady, released a statement to the press today in regards to the Pennsylvania recount efforts.
“Make no mistake – the Stein campaign will continue to fight for a statewide recount in Pennsylvania. We are committed to this fight to protect the civil and voting rights of all Americans. Over the past several days, it has become clear that the barriers to verifying the vote in Pennsylvania are so pervasive and that the state court system is so ill-equipped to address this problem that we must seek federal court intervention. As a result, on Monday the Stein campaign will escalate our campaign in Pennsylvania and file for emergency relief in federal court, demanding a statewide recount on constitutional grounds.”
As far as the Michigan recount goes, Jill Stein has requested the recount to U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith, who has yet to make his decision. The court hearing lasted nearly three hours, and Jill requested an immediate start of the recount. The Judge revealed that he will return later on in the day to announce whether his decision will be orally or in writing.
Jill Stein argued that waiting until Wednesday morning to start the recount is endangering the Michigan voters’ rights, and asked for the recount to start immediately on Monday morning.
Goldsmith appeared skeptical of the recount. He asked Jill Stein’s attorney, Mark Brewer, why the recount cannot start on Wednesday morning. Brewer had already said that even if the recount started on Wednesday morning, that it could still be completed by the deadline, December 13. Brewer did mention that it would take additional resources and money if they started it that late, but it could be done.
In the state of Michigan, Jill Stein must prove that she will face “irreparable harm” if the count wouldn’t start until Wednesday morning, but the Michigan Republican Party lawyers argued that their is absolutely no way that she can prove that.
It has already been announced that state officials have disclosed and certified Trump as the victor in Michigan, thus satisfying the “safe harbor” requirement that the electors be certified six days prior to the start of the electoral college meeting on December 19. This eliminates Brewer’s concern that the electoral votes could be at risk if the recount didn’t start immediately, because they have already been certified and sent to Congress.
According to Director of Elections Chris Thomas, it is likely that the Michigan recount will start early Wednesday morning, but it is possible that they will begin late Tuesday night.
[Featured Image by Win McManee/Getty Images]
