Stein: Cost Of Wisconsin Recount Is 'Exorbitant'
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hillary Clinton asked a Wisconsin judge for permission Tuesday to join Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's lawsuit demanding a hand recount, a process that may cost Stein about $400,000 more than she anticipated.
Clinton's attorneys filed briefs in Dane County Circuit Court on Tuesday saying she has a stake in the recount's outcome and a hand recount would be the most transparent method and ensure the most accurate results.
Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by about 22,000 votes in Wisconsin, but Stein has alleged — without evidence — that the results may have been hacked in a cyberattack. She asked the state Elections Commission for a recount last week and demanded it be done by hand. The commission had to grant the request for a recount under state law but rejected the demand for a manual recount.
Stein filed a lawsuit Monday demanding a judge order a hand recount. State Department of Justice attorneys filed briefs Tuesday arguing that Stein hasn't shown how a hand recount would change the election's results.
A hearing was scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon.
Under state law, Stein is responsible for the cost of the recount. She has raised $6.4 million online so far for recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's commission initially calculated the recount's cost at $1 million, but revised that figure upward to $3.5 million. The commission said she must pay that amount by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday or the recount won't take place.
On Tuesday afternoon, commission spokesman Reid Magney said the agency underestimated the cost and the process will actually cost around $3.9 million.
Stein had grumbled about the $3.5 million price tag, calling it exorbitant, but she had agreed to pay it. Magney said the commission still will require Stein to pay $3.5 million by Tuesday and she'll be on the hook for any additional costs.
Stein spokeswoman Margy Levinson didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the new cost estimate.
Independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente withdrew his request for a Wisconsin recount Tuesday, saying the process would cost too much.
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