LANSING (WKZO-AM) — The Presidential recount requested by Green Party Candidate Jill Stein is set to resume on Wednesday, but Elections Director Chris Thomas says it could technically begin late Tuesday, if you strictly read the Michigan Law on the issue.
There is a chance it could start sooner or later, or never start at all depending on an assortment of lawsuits that have been filed by the parties involved.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith heard arguments in an unusual Sunday Morning hearing in Detroit. Attorney Mark Brewer representing Green Party Candidate Jill Stein says that the recount should commence as soon as possible to better gaurantee it will be completed on time. He says Stein’s due process is in danger if there is a delay until Wednesday.
Attorneys for Donald Trump questioned whether Stein had standing to even request the expensive and complicated recount, and whether she stands to suffer any harm if they follow state law and begin the count on Wednesday…or never begin the count at all.
Judge Goldsmith says he would issue a written opinion but did not say when.
The Attorney General and President Elect Donald Trump have also filed suits in the State Appellate and Supreme Courts to block the recount claiming that Stein has no standing to request the expensive process. Decisions won’t be made on those requests until after the Board of Canvassers meets Tuesday morning to decide how they will respond to the suits.
Until and unless someone convinces a judge to intervene in the state’s elections procedure and override the appointed Board of Canvassers, training for the recount is proceeding and the recount will start mid-week.
A federal Judge has already denied a request from the Trump forces to block the Wisconsin recount which is already underway. Legal challenges in Pennsylvania have also been filed and will be heard this coming week. The first hearing is on Monday.
