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Pa. GOP Expects No Delay In Vote Certification, Despite Recount Efforts

Gerry Broome
/
AP

 

As the Green Party pushes for election recounts in key states, leaders of Pennsylvania's Republican Party have expressed concerns the delays could ultimately hold up President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

But, those fears now appear to be eased — a lawyer for the state GOP has said he's confident Pennsylvania's results will be validated on time.

States are federally required to settle controversies surrounding the appointment of their electors on Dec. 13. Otherwise, their electoral votes may not be deemed valid by Congress.

In a court filing Monday, Trump's lead counsel in Pennsylvania, Lawrence Tabas, warned that Green Pary candidate Jill Stein's quest for a recount could potentially impact "the interests of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and Donald J. Trump for President Incorporated."

But the team has now changed its tune, according to state GOP spokeswoman Megan Sweeney.

"The Republican Party of Pennsylvania is 100 percent confident that the election results will be certified in time," she said.

Sweeney wouldn't elaborate on the reasons behind the sudden switch. Tabas couldn't be reached for further comment.

The Stein campaign maintains a recount is necessary, saying the commonwealth's electronic voting machines are outdated and vulnerable to tampering.

A federal court hearing on the Pennsylvania vote is scheduled for Friday.