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Stein Will Likely Keep Her Recount In 3 States

by Melissa Cruz

Jill Stein has pushed forward with her efforts to recount the vote in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, despite clear opposition from some state officials and President-elect Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton has also refrained from showing much optimism in the recount effort, only enlisting her campaign's lawyers in passive, albeit on-the-ground roles in each state. But the former Green Party candidate has marched forward regardless — and now with requests filed in the three initial states, Trump and his allies may be worrying that Stein will file for recounts in other states.

So far, it seems that Stein will be concentrating the recount efforts solely on Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Though perhaps it would be in her best interest to start looking outside of those states, as their prospects for success seem to be growing ever slim.

The recount in Michigan took a hit on Wednesday when a federal judge ordered for the process to be stopped entirely. Despite that some counties in Michigan had already completely the hand recount of the state's 4.8 million ballots, U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith concluded that there was no evidence of foul play in the state's voting system and therefore no reason to continue with the recount.

Pennsylvania's request for a recount is still hanging in the balance, with a federal hearing on the matter scheduled for Friday, just days before the official Dec. 13 deadline. And the efforts are still ongoing in Wisconsin, though early reports indicate that the recount is actually increasing Trump's lead in the state.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images News/Getty Images

So while Stein may not file for any additional recounts in other states, there's still a possibility for other states. In a surprising move, three Florida voters have filed a request for a recount in Florida, and one is already underway in Nevada thanks to Independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente. The partial recount in Nevada, however, runs contrary to Clinton's win in the state.

However, a potential Florida recount could help the former Democratic candidate. The Florida voters alleged that they witnessed instances of people being turned away on election day or being incorrectly told that they had already voted. The attorney for the voters told the Detroit Free Press that he believes the defendants, which include Trump, Governor Rick Scott, and the state's 29 Republican presidential electors, may not respond before the electoral college meets on Dec. 19. But if Florida's 29 electoral votes went to Clinton, it would at least be enough to surpass Trump on the electoral vote count.

Regardless of the outcome of any of her recounts, Stein has promised to use any excess funds in the campaign for future efforts in "election integrity."