Presidential election recounts will begin gearing up today in the state’s two largest Dem strongholds.
But Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell says his jurisdiction won’t actually start tallying votes until tomorrow.
McDonell told reporters that’s because he’s required to give 48-hours notice before publicly testing the electronic voting equipment set to be used in the recount. The public test is scheduled for tomorrow between 8 a.m. and noon.
He said much of the work officials are set to do today starting at 8 a.m. at Monona Terrace will be focused on “teeing up the machines” for the test and matching the number of absentee ballots and absentee ballot envelopes.
Milwaukee County, meanwhile, was set to kick off its recount effort at 9 a.m. inside the Wisconsin Center and expects to wrap up proceedings by Wednesday.
McDonell couldn’t offer reporters a timeline on when Dane County would complete the recount.
“I don’t know how long this is going to take,” he said. “I’m jealous of Milwaukee’s prediction.”
In both counties, representatives from both the Trump and the Biden campaigns will be able to closely review and challenge ballots they think should be disqualified. Those ballots are then reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the counties’ Board of Canvassers, who rule on its eligibility. There are two Dems and one Republican on both boards.
Proceedings in both counties are also set to be livestreamed.
Watch the Dane County livestream:
https://elections.countyofdane.com/recountfeed-grid
Watch the Milwaukee County livestream:
https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/County-Clerk/Election-Commission/Election-Results
