Trump Campaign Moves to Initiate Wisconsin Recount

President Donald Trump returns to the White House after playing a round of golf, in Washington on Nov. 7, 2020. Carlos Barria/Reuters

President Donald Trump’s campaign took steps to seek a recount in Wisconsin on Nov. 7, after several news outlets and Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s campaign declared a narrow victory in the state.

Biden has more than a 20,000-vote lead over Trump in Wisconsin, according to The Associated Press and Decision Desk, an organization used by The Epoch Times. Biden has 49.5 percent of the vote, while Trump has 48.9 percent. A trailing candidate is allowed to seek a recount under state law if the margin of a race is within 1 percentage point.

Justin Clark, Trump’s deputy campaign manager, said on Nov. 7 his team would initiate a recount because of “irregularities” in the Nov. 3 election process, while asserting the team is “very concerned about what we’re hearing and seeing.” He didn’t elaborate.

“There were some serious irregularities on Election Day that we are looking into. We’ve already announced that we’re going to seek a statewide recount in Wisconsin, and we plan to do so,” Clark said in a statement, as reported by the Washington Examiner. “We expect that the canvass, the initial canvass will be done Monday [Nov. 9] or Tuesday [Nov. 10]. And then that process will begin.”

Canvassing isn’t a recount, but is the process where states can certify unofficial results—typically reported on by news outlets—and make the results official.

“The purpose of the canvass is to account for every ballot cast and to ensure that each valid vote is included in the official election results. The canvass enables an election official to resolve discrepancies, correct errors, and take any remedial actions necessary to ensure completeness and accuracy before certifying the election,” the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s website says.

Scott Walker, the state’s former Republican governor, said he doubts a recount will change the outcome of the state, which has 16 Electoral College votes.

“After recount in 2011 race for WI Supreme Court, there was a swing of 300 votes. After recount in 2016 Presidential race in WI, [Trump’s] numbers went up by 131. As I said, 20,000 is a high hurdle,” he wrote on Twitter.

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said an investigation was ordered into how the state’s election was administered.

“With concerns surfacing about mail-in ballot dumps and voter fraud, Wisconsin citizens deserve to know their vote counted. There should be no question as to whether the vote was fair and legitimate, and there must be absolute certainty that the impending recount finds any and all irregularities,” Vos said in a statement, according to WISN.

“Wisconsin’s election system is one of the best in the country. We have well-trained staff that finished counting the ballots well before most other states. However, we can always look for ways to improve it even more.

“I hope the committee investigates the inefficiency of Milwaukee’s central counting of absentee ballots, as well as the removal of voters from the rolls who no longer live here.”

Trump hasn’t conceded in the election and has promised to fight using legal means. His team filed several lawsuits in battleground states such as Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, and others.

Biden, meanwhile, declared victory in the race for the White House on Nov. 7 and said he would attempt to unify Americans after a bitterly fought election.