The Latest: Stein Explains Why Recounts Ended

The Latest: Stein Explains Why Recounts Ended
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein speaks at a news conference on Fifth Avenue across the street from Trump Tower in New York City on Dec. 5, 2016. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The Associated Press
12/13/2016
Updated:
12/13/2016

The Latest on Jill Stein’s presidential recount efforts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein says “bureaucratic hurdles, financial extortion and legal maneuvering” stymied her efforts to force election recounts in three states.

Stein held a news conference call Tuesday after a recount concluded in Wisconsin and showed little change in Donald Trump’s nearly 23,000-vote victory over Hillary Clinton. She also wanted statewide recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, but courts blocked her.

Stein says the recounts were stopped despite “overwhelming support.” She raised more than $7.3 million within weeks for the effort.

Stein’s attorney, Jonathan Abady, says the recount exposed barriers and obstacles to voting that could now be addressed. He says Stein will pursue a lawsuit she filed in federal court in Pennsylvania challenging that state’s election system, which he calls “byzantine” and “unworkable.”

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9:27 a.m.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein says she plans to donate any money left over from the $7.3 million she raised to force recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Stein said Tuesday that the exact costs of the recounts aren’t known yet, but she expects to have money left over.

Stein is asking donors to complete an online survey about which election reform groups and voting rights groups they want to receive the money.

Wisconsin completed its recount Monday with little changes in the results. President-elect Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by nearly 23,000 votes in the state. A federal court halted Michigan’s recount after three days and another federal judge also did not allow for a recount in Pennsylvania.