Trump Files Lawsuit To Stop Michigan Recount
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in the latest effort to block a recount of the Presidential vote in Michigan.
The lawsuit was filed in the Michigan Court of Appeals on Friday after the Board of State Canvassers was found to be deadlocked on the issue, allowing a recount effort to resume next week.
The recount effort was spearheaded by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who officially filed for the recount on Wednesday. She will have to pay $125 per precinct – 6,300 in Michigan – for a total cost of $787,500.
10,704 votes are all that separated Trump from Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in Michigan. The two-tenths of a percentage point margin, out of 4.8-million votes is the closest presidential race in the state in more than 75 years.
If the by-hand recount goes forward — which is expected — this will make Michigan the third state narrowly won by Republican Donald Trump where Stein has asked for a second look.
Stein has already requested recounts of the presidential votes in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Trump's victory is highly unlikely to be reversed in any of the states, but Stein has said the recount will ensure the integrity of the election.
Republicans have said a Michigan recount would cost taxpayers far more than the $973,000 Stein must pay when filing her recount petition.
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