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Federal judge weighs whether to end Michigan recount

Posted at 10:06 AM, Dec 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-07 18:54:39-05

A federal judge could decide whether to end Michigan's presidential recount after the state's second-highest court said the Green Party nominee was ineligible to seek a second look at millions of ballots.

The federal judge who on Monday ordered the recount to begin will hold a hearing Wednesday on whether to stop it. The state elections board also is meeting Wednesday, a day after the Michigan appeals court ordered it to dismiss Jill Stein's recount petition. The court noted that she got 1 percent of the vote and has no chance of catching Republican Donald Trump, who narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton in the state.

The Michigan Board of Canvassers met today, while the case was being heard. They decided by a 3 to 1 vote to halt the recount, if the judge lifts the temporary restraining order in the case.

Meanwhile, a court hearing will be held Friday on a possible recount in Pennsylvania. A recount in Wisconsin so far shows Trump gaining votes over Clinton.