Read on Twitter
I am covering the Milwaukee County recount until it ends. I will update this thread over the next few days. Here is a primer https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2020/11/19/what-to-expect-with-milwaukees-recount/
Over 100 people gathered outside, wearing Trump Representative tags. A couple I talked to were told not to talk to me. Others said they were poll workers. One, checking people in, said she didn’t know who they were or what they were doing
Check in process inside has a long line.
County Clerk George Christenson (gray suit) leads effort. A Board of Canvass (background) is scheduled to meet at 9 to open effort
City of Milwaukee ballots await recounting. Not enough observers have been let in yet. Board of Canvass meeting hasn’t started
“The recount is not a terribly complicated process... what is really important about the recount is you all do things uniformly,” says former election director Neil Albrecht in briefing city workers.
Albrecht is serving as a consultant, aiding new director Claire Woodall-Vogg and new deputy Jonathan Zuniga
One of five DS-850 counting machines being audited by provider ES&S in presence of election commission before recount can begin. Republican commissioner Rick Baas asks to review ballots before processing
A true media spectacle
Video showing machine rejecting blank or mismarked ballots as expected
Election workers have been sworn in
One individual first refused to wear a mask, now pulling it down. Sheriff deputies have intervened
Trump campaign is contesting current process design, has a request of practice changes to segregate certain ballots. Board of Election Commission is working to get those oral requests in writing. Ballot counting has not started.
While we wait for Trump campaign requests to be typed up, here is general information being handed out as well as the schedule
Commission now in closed session debating requests from Trump campaign. County Clerk George Christenson briefs press on process so far
Here are the Trump campaign objections in Milwaukee County. County commission (two Democrats, one Republican) debating them in closed session with counsel and staff.
Sheriff Earnell Lucas visits the Milwaukee #recount2020 facility to survey the setup
We are still awaiting closed session deliberations to end. Expected in about 20 minutes, but little has run on time today
Deliberations are underway. Commissioners indicate they will accept most Trump campaign requests to segregate certain ballots to expedite process and preserve integrity. Biden team objecting. Trump team objecting to details.
Onlookers, some of who shouted and resulted in process being halted, look on as deliberations take place
Elections director Julietta Henry instructing election workers how to proceed. No actual ballot counting yet, more prep work for workers.
The City of Milwaukee gains 73 votes for the time being. In-person absentee ballots where the clerk forgot to sign it will be accepted on a 2-1 vote of the commission. They were rejected at central count previously.
Trump observer triggers challenge on city of Milwaukee curbside vote envelope. Poll worker raises hand to get guidance. ED Claire Woodall-Vogg brings it to commission to settle issue.
Trump campaign wants these (curbside) envelopes set aside as well. A request that comes after counting begins. “This has the potential to completely gum up the works,” says commission chair Tim Ponanski.
Trump campaign objecting to objection process at Milwaukee County recount. A Trump attorney tries to tell media they have attorney client privilege at public meeting in presence of commissioners and poll workers.
I will be on @620wtmj at 4:30 to discuss what is happening. And for everyone, setting aside ballots does not mean they are rejected. It sets up a bulk challenge.
No interview. Station is wisely focusing on tragic situation at Mayfair Mall, not inaction at recount
Focusing on writing up an article as things head towards wrapping up for the day. Poll workers were just stopped for the day. The commission board continues to deliberate process and procedure questions as well as outlier absentee ballot conditions.
