Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has seen and heard just about enough from Green Party presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein and her election recount efforts, which he says are in violation of state law.
The state’s presidential election results were certified last weekend, showing President-elect Donald Trump won the state by less than 11,000 votes out of more than 5 million votes cast. Stein came in fourth place with just 51,000 votes and has been unable to provide any evidence of widespread fraud or tabulation errors.
If it goes forward, a recount is expected to cost the state’s taxpayers $4 million.
To that end, Schuette announced Friday morning he has sought a court order to stop the recount. In a statement to the media, he explained why he has asked the Michigan Board of Canvassers to reject Stein’s recount request:
“Michigan voters rejected Stein’s candidacy by massive margins, but her refusal to accept that state-verified result poses an expensive and risky threat to hard-working taxpayers and abuses the intent of Michigan law,” he said. “We have asked the court to end the recount which Stein is pursuing in violation of Michigan laws that protect the integrity of our elections. It is inexcusable for Stein to put Michigan voters at risk of paying millions and potentially losing their voice in the Electoral College in the process.”
Presidential Election Day is Dec. 19, when electors in each state officially cast their ballots to elect the 45th president of the United States. Michigan’s electors are currently slated to vote for the president-elect, but if a recount is initiated, but isn’t completed before then, those votes won’t be allowed.
If that happens, the presidency will be decided by the candidate who wins a majority of the remaining votes, meaning Trump would still win.
