President Trump files lawsuit in Michigan to halt counting votes, citing lack of access
(FOX 2) - President Donald Trump's campaign has filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Michigan to halt counting election votes, saying the campaign has not had proper access to review the opening and processing of absentee ballots.
“As votes in Michigan continue to be counted, the presidential race in the state remains extremely tight as we always knew it would be. President Trump’s campaign has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process, as guaranteed by Michigan law. We have filed suit today in the Michigan Court of Claims to halt counting until meaningful access has been granted. We also demand to review those ballots which were opened and counted while we did not have meaningful access. President Trump is committed to ensuring that all legal votes are counted in Michigan and everywhere else," - Trump's campaign manager Bill Stepien said.
A judge will need to rule on the lawsuit.
2020 Election Results: Interactive Electoral College map results
Moments after the suit was announced, a group of GOP challengers tried to enter TCF Center in Detroit where hundreds of thousands of ballots are being counted but election staff told FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack they are at capacity for both Democrat and Republican challengers.
"They need to be held accountable. They have not been transparent since day one on this whole process here," said Patrick Colbeck, a Republican challenger. "This is complete, designed chaos right now on the part of the Detroit Elections Bureau."
In response to the Trump campaign threatening a lawsuit, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's Press Secretary Ryan Jarvi released a statement saying the entire process was transparent.
"Michigan's elections have been conducted transparently, with access provided for both political parties and the public, and using a robust system of checks and balances to ensure that all ballots are counted fairly and accurately. At this time our department has not been notified by the Court of Claims about this lawsuit and when we are served, we will review it and respond accordingly. Michigan will always continue to protect the rights of all voters to have their ballots counted," Jarvi said.
The suit was filed in the court of claims around 3:45 Wednesday afternoon. The Trump campaign filed a similar lawsuit in Wisconsin just an hour before, saying that the president planned to “immediately” request a recount. A lawsuit has also been filed in Pennsylvania.
The news of the suit came just before 2 p.m. Wednesday when Joe Biden had a marginal lead against Trump for the state's 16 electoral votes - which are going to be key in determining the election. FOX News projected Biden to win the state later that afternoon around 4:30 p.m.
After a Biden win in Michigan was projected, Biden was leading Trump in electoral votes with 264 to Trump’s 214.
All eyes are still Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada and Georgia right now to be called.
“Despite ridiculous public polling used as a voter suppression tactic, Wisconsin has been a razor-thin race as we always knew that it would be. There have been reports of irregularities in several Wisconsin counties which raise serious doubts about the validity of the results. The President is well within the threshold to request a recount and we will immediately do so," - Stepien said.