Republican Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday temporarily withdrew his lawsuit seeking to impound voting machines in Palm Beach County after the completion of the recount in the Florida Senate race, according to a report from West Palm Beach television station WPTV.
A lawyer for Scott said he would temporarily dismiss the lawsuit during a Tuesday hearing at which Judge Krista Marx said she was unsure she had the authority to grant Scott’s request, per WPTV. Marc Elias, the lawyer representing Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in his Senate race against Scott, also tweeted on Tuesday that the lawsuit was dismissed.
BREAKING: Gov Scott campaign DISMISSES its lawsuit for seeking to seize Palm Beach County equipment after Court expresses skepticism that there is any evidence of impropriety. This is two losses in two days for Scott's false claims of fraud.
— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) November 13, 2018
At the hearing, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw testified that he has deputies stationed at the tabulation center and elections office who are able to monitor the recount, according to WPTV. Scott’s lawyer said he would discuss security with the sheriff, WPTV reported.
A judge on Monday denied Scott’s request to impound voting machines in Broward County and told both parties in the lawsuit to come to an agreement on security surrounding the recount.
