Green Party candidate Jill Stein will not appeal a judge’s rejection of her lawsuit to force a hand recount of nearly 3 million presidential ballots in Wisconsin, clearing the way for machines to be used in the statewide effort beginning Thursday. Also Wednesday, Stein filed another recount petition in Michigan and the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a federal elections complaint against both Stein and Democrat Hillary Clinton. The complaint alleges that Stein — who received only a small share of the vote — is improperly fundraising to pay for a recount that primarily benefits Clinton, the second-place finisher behind GOP President-elect Donald Trump. The fundraising amounts to improper coordination between the two campaigns, the complaint to the Federal Elections Commission alleges. “Clinton stands as the only actor that would benefit from a recount taking place in Wisconsin or elsewhere,” the complaint reads. “As outlined below, the Clinton campaign’s direct involvement in the recount process, which was announced well before the recount itself was paid for and finalized, demonstrates a clear link between the actions of the Stein campaign and the strategic goals of Hillary for America.” The complaint is based on the public actions and statements of the Clinton and Stein campaigns and not on any inside information.
David Cobb, campaign manager for the Stein recount effort, dismissed the complaint as meritless in language similar to the critiques made of the recount itself. “The recount effort is nonpartisan and Stein is not coordinating with any other campaign. Any allegations to the contrary are fabrications. The FEC complaint is nothing but a (public relations) stunt to push a false narrative that will ultimately have no impact on the recount in Wisconsin,” Cobb said.
Critics have said the recount itself is likely to have no impact on the election’s outcome.
The Clinton campaign, which had no reaction, has said it would not have sought a recount itself because it is very unlikely to change the winner. But Democratic officials said Clinton’s campaign became involved in the process launched by Stein to protect the interests of their party’s voters.
Full Article: Stein won’t appeal machine recount; GOP files complaint.