The recount was unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment because it was not being conducted on a consistent, fair basis across the state.
The US system is a topic unto itself!
Jimmy Carter, when asked if his foundation would act as observers in a previous general election, said they couldn’t as the US system doesn’t even meet their basic international criteria for free and fair elections.
Use of the notion of ‘fair basis across the state’ to stop a recount beggars belief, when you take note of the fact that some states, including the one at issue here, use(d) different types of voting machine in different areas (typically older and less reliable machines - and in fewer locations - for black voters compared to white).
Then there’s the lack of an auditable paper trail: coupled with the fact that electronic machines have been provided by private companies awarded contracts by Republican states, who then refused to divulge how they work under the guise of contractual ‘confidentiality’.
Security and computing academics have repeatedly warned at how easy it is to interfere with electronic voting machines is, but it has always fallen on deaf ears. (Not to say that this is a major issue, but the possibility exists.)
Among others, Michael Moore’s book after the infamous 2000 election discussed in detail the myriad issues with mechanics of the US system which would make your hair stand on end. And I haven’t even mentioned gerrymandering yet!