Could Kamala Harris call for a recount in Wisconsin? Here’s what state law says

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

With about 99% of Wisconsin’s ballots counted, Trump has a roughly 30,000 vote lead. That amounts to a little under one percentage point advantage, 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, even if the unofficial results are extremely close, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s 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 above 0.25%, the campaign has to pay for the recount.

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

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

Would the 2024 election recount take place statewide?

This isn’t clear yet. The petitioning candidate can specify that they want the entire election recounted, or just specific municipalities. Unlike local races or state legislative races, presidents are elected statewide.

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

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

What happened in the 2020 presidential recount in Wisconsin?

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

The recount was completed on Nov. 29, 2020, and the Chair of the Wisconsin Election Commissions signed the canvass statement for the election and recount on Nov. 30.

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