A federal judge was asking skeptical questions Sunday about Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s request to order the immediate start of a presidential recount in Michigan. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith asked Stein attorney Mark Brewer to explain what the harm is in waiting until Wednesday, as planned, especially after Brewer conceded that the recount could still likely be completed by Dec. 13 if started Wednesday, though it would take more money and resources. To get a court order, Stein must show she will suffer “irreparable harm” if the recount doesn’t start immediately. Lawyers for the Michigan Republican Party argued that there can be no irreparable harm, if the recount can still get done with a Wednesday start. “I think the hearing should be over, based on that admission,” attorney Gary Gordon of Lansing, who has represented Trump and the Michigan Republican Party, told the judge about Brewer’s statement.
Also, state officials disclosed at the hearing that the state election results, showing Trump as the victor, have already been certified and Gov. Rick Snyder has already certified the Trump electors and sent that information to Washington, D.C. Denise Barton, an attorney reprresenting the Board of State Canvassers, said that means the “safe harbor” requirement that electors be certified six days prior to the electoral college meeting on Dec. 19, has already been satisfied.
Michigan’s electoral votes are guaranteed to count, except in the unlikely event that a recount shows Trump did not win Michigan’s 16 electoral votes, in which case another set of electors could be certified and sent to Congress, she said.
Full Article: Update: Federal judge skeptical about ordering immediate recount.