The Wisconsin Elections Commission has unanimously rejected a request from former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein for a hand recount, but did set a timetable on Monday for a recount of the election.
It means that officials in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties can decide if they want to carry out recounts by hand, meaning that some counties will perform a hand recount and some will perform the recount using machines.
Election commission chairman Mark Thomsen told the Journal-Sentinel that with the recount, it’s very unlikely to flip Donald Trump’s win in Wisconsin, which has 10 electoral votes.
“It may not be 22,177,” said Thomsen in reference to the number of votes Trump secured over Clinton on Nov. 8. “But I don’t doubt that the president-elect is going to win that.”
Stein petitioned Wisconsin’s Elections Commission on Friday for a recount, claiming there was “evidence of voting irregularities” without any evidence or proof.
Thomsen rejected Stein’s claims, saying it was misleading.
Stein indicated that her team will sue the state, which will be taken up in Dane County circuit court.
Under federal law, any disputes over votes cast in the presidential election must be resolved within 35 days of election day to ensure electoral votes are counted, which would be Dec. 13 this year.
The Electors will meet on Dec. 19, and according to election experts, that deadline is more crucial, as missing it could put Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes at stake.
Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias said over the weekend that her team will take part in the recount.
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