by WorldTribune Staff, December 7, 2016

The recount effort that Jill Stein insists was inspired by alleged fraud and hacked voting machines is turning into actual disappointment and embarrassment for the Green Party candidate.

President-elect Donald Trump has widened his victory margin over Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin by 146 votes. As of Dec. 7, with 23 of the state’s 72 counties having finished their recounts, Trump gained 105 votes and Clinton dropped 41 votes.

Stein paid $3.5 million for the Wisconsin recount. She raised more money for recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania than she did for her entire presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Clinton gained only five votes after the state’s two largest counties completed their recount. A state spokeswoman said 15 provisional ballots remain uncounted.

Though her team hasn’t produced any evidence of hacking or fraud, Stein calls Pennsylvania’s election system “a national disgrace.”

In Michigan, Stein’s push for a recount suddenly became in doubt on Dec. 6 as a state appeals court said her poor showing on Nov. 8 disqualified her from seeking a second look at the votes.

A recount that started on Dec. 5 might end after the state appeals court said Stein has no standing to have the votes recounted. The court said she finished fourth in the election and doesn’t qualify as an “aggrieved” candidate under Michigan law.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said the decision means the recount “must stop.” But Stein’s attorney, Mark Brewer, insisted the recount isn’t over.

  2016 presidential election, In Jill Stein’s Wisconsin recount, Jill Stein recounts, Trump picks up votes, WorldTribune.com