Christopher Haxel

Lansing State Journal

LANSING -- Ingham County officials expected to begin the process of recounting presidential ballots Friday, but, following the objection filed by President-elect Donald Trump, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum now expects it to begin Tuesday or Wednesday.

Elections officials from Eaton, Clinton, Jackson and Livingston counties had planned to observe Ingham County's recount process before starting their own later this weekend. Those efforts will be pushed back, as well.

"We were going to watch to see how they proceeded, and then use that as a training for my staff who will be working on the recount," said Livingston County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley. "The possibility exists that we will continue to come to Ingham (County) and watch that first day... we’re a little bit concerned with how late that would push our start."

The ultimate start date for Livingston and other counties will be determined by the state's Bureau of Elections, she said.

The objection will delay any recount of votes until the state Board of Canvassers can rule on the objection at a meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday. Once that ruling is made, Chris Thomas, director of the state Department of Elections, can't start the recount for two business days, which could mean that recount work scheduled for this weekend may not be able to go forward.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein requested the recount on Wednesday, saying she wanted to ensure that the votes were counted accurately and ultimately ensure the integrity of the election.

The state certified the election results on Monday, which showed that Republican Donald Trump won the state with a 10,704 vote margin over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Stein finished fourth with 51,463 votes.

Byrum said in a news release that the recount will cost Ingham County approximately $45,000, which will include paying up to 75 temporary workers to count the more than 136,000 ballots and the cost for municipalities to truck ballots to a centralized location and for security to protect them.

"We have dozens of workers who were prepared to assist with the recount in Ingham County starting tomorrow, but due to the objection, they have been put on hold, until we may begin the recount process," Byrum said in the release.

Those who have already committed to serving as recount workers will be contacted via email, she said.

Eaton County Clerk Diana Bosworth​ said earlier this week she expects to hire as many as 20 recount workers. She did not have an estimate yet for how much the recount might cost the county.

State elections officials have said the recount must be completed no later than Dec. 19, when the Electoral College votes for president.

Contact Christopher Haxel at 517-377-1261 or chaxel@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel.

How to volunteer

Ingham County officials are still seeking temporary workers to help with the recount. Shifts in Ingham County will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., including weekends, and workers will be paid $125 per full-day shift.

Those interested in serving as a recount worker should send the following information via email to inghamclerk@ingham.org:

* First and Last Name

* Email Address

* Cell Phone Number

* Party Affiliation

* If served as a poll worker or challenger on election day, what precinct(s)

* What days are you available to work the entire 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift (through Dec. 19th)