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US Vote Recount Ends in Michigan; Ongoing in Wisconsin

  • VOA Staff

A challenge is reviewed on a ballot during a statewide presidential election recount in Waterford Township, Mich., Dec. 5, 2016.

Michigan's recount of presidential votes is over after a judge lifted an order that forced a statewide review of millions of ballots.

The recount lasted three days in more than 20 of the state's 83 counties. Some counties hadn't planned to start until later.

Federal Judge Mark Goldsmith said Wednesday he must follow a decision by the Michigan appeals court, which found that Green Party candidate Jill Stein couldn't seek a recount. She got 1 percent of the state vote and presented no evidence of fraud. Republican Donald Trump narrowly won.

Jill Stein, the presidential Green Party candidate, arrives for a news conference in front of Trump Tower, Dec. 5, 2016, in New York.


The Michigan elections board stopped the recount because of Goldsmith's new ruling and plans to meet again Thursday.

A recount is ongoing in Wisconsin, and Stein is seeking one in Pennsylvania. Trump won those states, too.