UPDATE: The Lansing State Journal reported Ingham County's recount results were certified shortly before 1 p.m. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton gained a net of 65 votes compared to her competitor, President-elect Donald Trump, though both gained votes. Green Party candidate Jill Stein, whose request initiated the statewide recount, lost two votes. According to the State Journal, Ingham County is the first county in Michigan to finish its recount.
Election recount continues in Ingham County, across state
Despite an ongoing court battle, Michigan’s recount effort is underway. At the request of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, recounts are in progress or being disputed in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, three battleground states closely won by President-elect Donald Trump in the Nov. 8 election.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum followed the initial decision to begin the recount and said she had her workers prepared to begin as soon as the order was given.
I am in the office with my team. We will be ready. Federal Sunday hearing in @DrJillStein's #Michigan recount https://t.co/86BJ2M5m5Y
— BarbByrum (@BarbByrum) December 4, 2016
Here's what I told @democracynow about why #Recount2016 is so necessary: https://t.co/0gPKPShabo pic.twitter.com/UIHtatB3Se
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) November 30, 2016
While Stein herself believes the recount will not change any outcomes, Stein’s goal of the recounts is to verify the integrity of voting systems, according to the Detroit Free Press.
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Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, a vocal opponent of the recount who has called it "frivolous," has been leading an effort to stop the recount in court. Schuette said Stein is not an "aggrieved candidate" and has no chance of winning, therefore is not eligible to request a recount. The Michigan Court of Appeals agreed Tuesday, ruling that the recount should never have begun.
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The Michigan Court of Appeals agreed that Jill Stein is not an aggrieved candidate and the recount must stop.
— A.G. Bill Schuette (@SchuetteOnDuty) December 7, 2016
However, the ruling is still superseded by the federal order U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith issued Monday that began the recount, and it will continue until Goldsmith rules otherwise. Goldsmith began hearing further arguments at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The Trump Campaign is deliberately prolonging this recount by playing political games, which will increase costs to Ingham County tax payers
— BarbByrum (@BarbByrum) December 7, 2016
The Detroit Free Press reported that Tuesday precincts where a difference in the number of voters who cast ballots and the number of ballots in the box on election night is found would be ineligible for a recount under Michigan law. The Free Press reports that 610 precincts are affected in Wayne County alone, with 392 in Detroit.
Byrum told the Lansing State Journal that at least six Ingham County precincts will not be recounted, due to damage to ballot bags and improper sealing.
Byrum tweeted her workers finished counting votes around 6 p.m. Tuesday night and have been waiting on action by the Ingham County Board of Canvassers. Byrum could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
