The Michigan recount is OVER!!!
After a lawyer urged him not to stick taxpayers with a $5 million recount tab, a federal judge on Wednesday dissolved his earlier decision and halted the hand-recount of 4.8 million ballots that were cast for president in Michigan.
The controversial issue, however, is far from over as an appeal will follow.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his written opinion late Wednesday, several hours after hearing arguments about whether a recount in Michigan is warranted or not.
The Michigan Republican Party and Michigan Attorney General’s office argued it was not, stressing a state appellate court had already decided the issue, and that Goldsmith should respect that 3-0 decision and halt the recount, which started Monday under an order from Goldsmith. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Green Party candidate Jill Stein has no standing to seek a recount because she has no chance of winning. She came in fourth place, with 1% of the vote.
But it’s not completely over:
Federal judge halts controversial presidential election recount in Michigan. But an appeal is likely. So story is: STOP COUNTING, for now
— Tresa Baldas (@TBaldas) December 8, 2016
So stay tuned, party people.