Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The New York Times reports:
Pennsylvania will apparently not have a statewide recount of its votes, removing the last long-shot hope by opponents of Donald J. Trump that a review of the ballots could overturn his election as president.
In a filing on Saturday, a lawyer for Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, who began the recount bids in Pennsylvania — as well as in Michigan and Wisconsin — said “petitioners are regular citizens of ordinary means” and could not afford a $1 million bond payment that was ordered by Pennsylvania courts.
Lawyers for Pennsylvania Republicans and Mr. Trump had asked a judge on Thursday to dismiss Ms. Stein’s request, saying she had not identified any fraud or illegal activity during the Nov. 8 election.
Lawrence J. Tabas, the general counsel of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, said on Saturday that the withdrawal served as “recognition” that the Stein-led effort was “completely without merit,” and that the decision to drop the case “assures that President-elect Trump will be declared the winner by the Electoral College,” which meets on Dec. 19.
In a statement, Ms. Stein left open the possibility that she had further plans in Pennsylvania, and promised a “major announcement” on Monday morning. She criticized the $1 million bond needed to proceed with a recount.
“This is yet another sign that Pennsylvania’s antiquated election law is stacked against voters,” Ms. Stein said. “We will pursue every available remedy to ensure Pennsylvanians can trust what happened in this election.”
#Recount2016 is so expensive because of elected leaders who have refused to invest in a 21st-century voting system.
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) December 4, 2016
How odd is it that we must jump through bureaucratic hoops and raise millions of dollars so we can trust our election results? #Recount2016
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) December 4, 2016