Governor Rick Snyder has signed billsthat would make it tougher and more expensive for losing candidates to call a recount of the results.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Steingot less than 1 percent of the vote in Michigan in 2016. She had virtually no chance of finding enough lost or miscounted votes to emerge the winner, but nevertheless demanded a recount.
The state says the $380,000 paid by the Stein campaign did not cover the costs of the recount, which was halted by a judge before it was completed.
The new law says a candidate demanding a recount must have a reasonable belief they might win if the votes are re-tallied. Also, it would increase the cost from $125 a precinct to $250.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org