The lawsuit and request for a temporary restraining order was filed late Thursday in federal court in Madison. It was filed by the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and Wisconsin voter Ronald R. Johnson.
The lawsuit contends that the recount that started Thursday violates the due process rights of Johnson and others who voted for Trump, as well as threatens to push the state past the deadline to choose presidential electors and also “may unjustifiably cast doubt upon the legitimacy of President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s victory.”
Trump won Wisconsin and the recount was requested by Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein.
The PACs allege that Wisconsin law “lacks adequate protections to ensure that similarly completed ballots will be afforded similar treatment,” which they say is required under the Supreme Court Decision Bush v. Gore in 2000.
It also raises concerns that the recount will not be completed in time to meet the federal “safe harbor” deadline to choose presidential electors.
“Failure to satisfy this deadline will undermine the right to vote of Plaintiff Johnson and all other Wisconsin voters by leaving it to the U.S. Congress to determine whether to accept the slate of electors chosen,” the court filing says.
The PACs ask for a judge to issue a temporary restraining order or injunction to stop counting in the state.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission tweeted Friday morning, “Recount will continue unless a judge orders otherwise. Keep counting!”
Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump have filed a federal lawsuit trying to stop Wisconsin’s ongoing presidential election recount.
