Wisconsin Judge Rules Against (Another) Trump Bid To Overturn Biden’s Win

Enlarge this image

Representatives for President Trump, left, review ballots in Madison on Nov. 20 during the recount vote in Dane County. A state judge on Friday rejected a Trump campaign attempt to challenge the voting process in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

Andy Manis/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Andy Manis/Getty Images

2020 Election: Secure Your Vote
Trump Wants A Recount In Wisconsin. How Would It Work?

Politics
Wisconsin Voters Say Both Sides Must Move Past Contentious Election

Simanek said the counties made reasonable accommodations because of the coronavirus and had correctly interpreted Wisconsin’s absentee-voting laws.

The ruling can be appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court – and the Trump campaign said it will do so.

«Obviously, the Supreme Court is expecting to hear from us shortly, Trump campaign attorney Jim Troupis said at the end of the hearing, as Simanek prepared to draft his court order.

During the hearing, Simanek said that at this point in the electoral process, the court is restricted in what it can review. And he noted that the issue did not hinge on questions of fraud.

«Among the groups of voters challenged were those who voted in person before Election Day and those who said they were ‘indefinitely confined,’ which let them request an absentee ballot without showing a photo ID, member station Wisconsin Public Radio reports.

«I’m not here to make broad determinations on constitutional issues, Simanek said.

While the judge acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic imposed on the Nov. 3 vote, he said the two candidates’ representatives had been able to monitor the process as it took place.

«But there’s no real dispute here, Simanek said. «The observers were able to properly challenge ballots they thought should not have been counted. The parties reached an agreement early on for a standing rejection to broad ranges of ballots in the four categories that are in dispute here.

The judge continued, «I believe the recount was transparent and open – I believe it may have even been live-streamed. There is no dispute in that regard.

The Trump campaign is grasping for ways to prevent Biden’s victory from being recognized by the Electoral College – an event that is set to occur on Monday, when electors will vote in their respective states.