×

Michigan appeals court: No reason for vote recount

Federal judge, state board set to weigh in today

DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge could decide whether to end Michigan’s presidential recount after the state’s second-highest court said the Green Party nominee was ineligible to seek a second look at millions of ballots.

The federal judge who on Monday ordered the recount to begin will hold a hearing today on whether to stop it.

The state elections board also is meeting today, a day after the Michigan appeals court ordered it to dismiss Jill Stein’s recount petition, saying she has no standing.

The court said she finished fourth in the election with 1 percent of the vote and no chance of catching Republican Donald Trump, so doesn’t qualify as an “aggrieved” candidate under Michigan law.

Trump narrowly won Michigan over Democrat Hillary Clinton by about 10,700 votes.

Attorney General Bill Schuette said the decision means the recount “must stop.” But Stein’s attorney, Mark Brewer, insisted the recount isn’t over.

The ruling came a day after U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ordered an immediate statewide recount of roughly 4.8 million ballots. Eight counties have started, including the largest, Wayne County.

But Goldsmith’s decision dealt with the timing of the recount, not whether Stein had standing.

Meanwhile, a court hearing is scheduled for Friday on a possible recount in Pennsylvania.

In Wisconsin, Trump had widened his victory margin over Clinton by 146 votes, with 23 of the state’s 72 counties having finished their recounts as of Tuesday. In those counties, Trump gained 105 votes and Clinton dropped 41 votes.

Area recount Monday, if it happens

IRON MOUNTAIN — Barring a court change, the presidential election recount in Dickinson and Iron counties is set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday on the Bay West College campus in Iron Mountain.

Ten teams of two from Dickinson County and eight from Iron County will conduct the recount, according to Dolly Cook, Dickinson County clerk-register of deeds.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today