Jill Stein posted to her Jill2016 website that she had raised enough money to "file" for a recount in Pennsylvania. However, the Green Party candidate left out some key details about the filing of recounts in Pennsylvania that many of her supporters likely would have wanted to know before donating. For example, candidates cannot file a direct request for a recount in the state and instead must appeal the election in court.
Donald Trump statement on Jill Stein's recount efforts: pic.twitter.com/zXpu27MefZ— The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) November 26, 2016
— The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) November 26, 2016
The Green Party scam to fill up their coffers by asking for impossible recounts is now being joined by the badly defeated & demoralized Dems— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016
While the filing fee and request is all that is needed in Wisconsin, her second state "funded" is much more complicated. Pennsylvania does not allow candidates to file a direct request for a recount, according to the Pennsylvania Election Code. Instead, the filing fee is simply the amount needed to appeal the results.
Penn by Jessica McBride on Scribd
"While candidates cannot file a direct request for a recount, they may appeal the order or decision of any county board regarding the computation or canvassing of the returns of any primary or election, or regarding any recount or recanvass thereof. During the appeal process, the court may determine that a recount is necessary."
I'm just gonna leave this right here. pic.twitter.com/KK4MahpXLe— Leah the Boss (@LeahRBoss) November 26, 2016
— Leah the Boss (@LeahRBoss) November 26, 2016
Elias also noted that in even the closest margin state, Michigan, Trump's win "well exceeds the largest margin ever overcome in a recount." Therefore, Elias says that is why Clinton herself did not pursue a recount effort. However, since Stein has funded and initiated the effort, Elias says that Clinton will participate to ensure fairness.
Stein has maintained that the effort is not designed to overturn the election results, but rather to ensure transparency in the voting process. Stein has even criticized Clinton for joining her efforts so late in the game, calling her "on-again, off-again about democracy."
Why would Hillary Clinton—who conceded the election to Donald Trump—want #Recount2016? You cannot be on-again, off-again about democracy.— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) November 26, 2016
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) November 26, 2016
Why would Hillary Clinton—who holds "public" and "private" positions—want to engage in something as transparent as #Recount2016?— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) November 26, 2016
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) November 26, 2016
What do you think? Should Jill Stein have been more clear about the election recount proceedings when requesting donations from her supporters?
[Featured Image by D. Ross Cameron/AP Images]
