Rick Scott Files 3 More Recount Lawsuits

Florida Republican Rick Scott intensified his legal efforts on Sunday as recounts began in the state’s Senate race, The Hill reported.

Scott’s team filed emergency motions in Palm Beach and Broward County demanding that all voting machines, ballots and tabulating devices be impounded when they are not in use.

Scott’s campaign also filed a complaint in Broward County court requesting that a judge ban the county canvassing board from including ballots counted after the deadline in the final tally.

The legal maneuvers came a day after Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner ordered recounts in three contests, including the Senate race. Scott’s lead over incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson has narrowed significantly since Election Day, with the most recent vote tally putting Nelson less than 13,000 votes behind Scott, a margin of only 0.15 percentage points.

Results of machine recounts must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday. If two candidates are separated by a margin of 0.25 points or less after machine recounts, hand recounts are mandated, which ust be completed by November 18 and official results certified on November 20.

Nelson accused Scott of trying to suppress votes, Fox News reported.

“If Rick Scott wanted to make sure every legal ballot is counted, he would not be suing to try and stop voters from having their legal ballot counted as intended,” Nelson said in a statement.

“He’s doing this for the same reason he’s been making false and panicked claims about voter fraud – he’s worried that when all the votes are counted he’ll lose this election. We will not allow him to undermine the democratic process and will use every legal tool available to protect the rights of Florida voters.”