Stein Says 'Extortion,' Hurdles Stymied Recount Efforts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein says "bureaucratic hurdles, financial extortion and legal maneuvering" stymied her efforts to force election recounts in three states.

Stein held a news conference call Tuesday after a recount concluded in Wisconsin and showed little change in Donald Trump's nearly 23,000-vote victory over Hillary Clinton. She also wanted statewide recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, but courts blocked her.

Stein says the recounts were stopped despite "overwhelming support." She raised more than $7.3 million within weeks for the effort. Stein said Tuesday that the exact costs of the recounts aren't known yet, but she expects to have money left over and said she plans to donate it.

Stein is asking donors to complete an online survey about which election reform groups and voting rights groups they want to receive the money.

Stein's attorney, Jonathan Abady, says the recount exposed barriers and obstacles to voting that could now be addressed. He says Stein will pursue a lawsuit she filed in federal court in Pennsylvania challenging that state's election system, which he calls "byzantine" and "unworkable."

Wisconsin completed its recount Monday with little changes in the results. President-elect Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton by nearly 23,000 votes in the state. A federal court halted Michigan's recount after three days and another federal judge also did not allow for a recount in Pennsylvania.