Will there be a presidential recount in Wisconsin?

On By Littum

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Republican Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the presidential election in Wisconsin, besting Vice President Kamala Harris.

With about 99% of Wisconsin ballots counted, Trump has a lead of about 30,000 votes. That equates to an advantage of just under a percentage point, which would make the race eligible for a recount. With his victory in Wisconsin, the state’s 10 electoral votes pushed Trump over the 270 threshold and cemented his unprecedented return to the White House.

Harris has not called for a recount in Wisconsin, but if she does, here’s how the process would work.

What is the margin required for a recount in Wisconsin?

In an election with more than 4,000 votes – which applies to the presidential race – the trailing candidate can demand a recount when the margin between the candidates is no more than one percent of the total votes cast.

There is no automatic recount in Wisconsin, although the unofficial results are extremely close, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission manual for a recount.

Does a candidate have to pay for a recount in Wisconsin?

If the margin between the two candidates is 0.25% or less, the state pays for the recount. If the margin is over 0.25%, the campaign must pay for the recount.

So under the current margin, Harris would have to pay for the recount.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission would estimate the cost of the recount, such as personnel and travel costs and equipment rental, to likely total a few million dollars.

Would the recount of the 2024 election take place across the country?

This is not clear yet. The petition candidate can state that they want the entire election counted, or just certain municipalities. Unlike local races or state legislative races, presidents are elected nationwide.

The 2020 presidential recount in Wisconsin, for example, was a partial recount of the results in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

If the trailing candidate requests a partial recount, the leading candidate can expand the recount in additional departments or municipalities.

What Happened in the 2020 Presidential Countdown in Wisconsin?

After the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump requested a recount in some Wisconsin counties, as well as Georgia. The Wisconsin Elections Commission ordered a partial recount of the results in Dane and Milwaukee counties after receiving a $3 million payment from the Trump campaign.

The recount was completed on November 29, 2020, and the chairman of the Wisconsin Election Commission signed the declaration of election and recount on November 30.

On January 14, 2021, the WEC issued a refund to the Trump campaign for about $545,000, which was the amount below the estimated $3 million cost of the recount.