That, in turn, meant election workers had to look at each questionable ballot and try to decide the voter's choice. All this took place with the nation -- and the world -- watching and wondering who would become America's next president.
(MUSIC)
Something else only added to anger and debate over the situation in Florida. Florida's secretary of state, its chief election officer, Katherine Harris, also happened to be a leader of the Bush campaign there.
KATHERINE HARRIS: “Governor George W. Bush – two million, nine hundred twelve thousand seven hundred ninety.”
Almost three weeks after the election, Florida officials declared George Bush the winner of the state’s twenty-five electoral votes. That gave him a total of two hundred seventy-one.
Out of six million ballots, state officials said he had defeated Al Gore by five hundred thirty-seven votes.
But the election was still not over. Gore and his supporters in Florida asked the courts to reject the results because of what they said were the many voting problems. The Florida Supreme Court ordered another count of the disputed ballots.
Bush campaign officials quickly appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The court said Florida law did not explain how officials should judge the ballots. The court found the situation in Florida unconstitutional because there were different standards around the state. The justices also said not enough time remained to settle the issue before the Electoral College had to meet. On December twelfth, the court voted seven to two to end the recount, and five to four against ordering a new one.
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