A federal judge has ruled against an attempt to halt Wisconsin’s presidential recount. Judge James Peterson denied the request from two super PACs that supported President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign Friday morning. “It’s crystal clear to me that I don’t have the basis to stop the recount,” Peterson said. “The recount looks like it’s going as the state said: smoothly.” The lawsuit claimed Wisconsin’s recount violates equal protection requirements, puts the state at risk of missing a federal elections reporting deadline and may cast doubt on the legitimacy of Trump’s victory.
The plaintiffs dropped the equal protection argument early Friday morning in a brief to the court, instead choosing to focus on the latter two arguments. In brief remarks Friday, the plaintiffs expressed concern that Wisconsin’s electoral votes could be endangered if the recount results are challenged after a federal elections reporting deadline on Tuesday.
Peterson rebuffed that argument, saying the state’s electors would still be able to cast their votes for Trump, regardless of any pending challenges or litigation.
“I have, at this point, have not been persuaded by any submission you’ve made that Wisconsin’s electoral votes aren’t going to be counted,” Peterson said.
Full Article: Judge Rules Against Attempt To Halt Wisconsin Presidential Recount | Wisconsin Public Radio.