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Election Day
Election Day came to the United States. Many news organizations begin to call the election in Florida, saying that Gore took the state. However, the state's vote count was simply too close to truly call and the networks who had called the election earlier that evening were forced to go back on their previous statements, saying that it was simply too close for them to say who won. This was the statrt of the Florida dispute that would mark the election. -
The Networks Flip-Flop
The following day, many of the news networks completely change their previous stance, with many saying the Bush has won Florida. Gore concedes to Bush and prepares to deliver a concession speech, but is stopped when his aides inform him the Bush has lost the lead that he once had. He does not deliver any speech and actually calls Bush to rescind his concession, creating hostile tensions between the two campaigns. -
The Gore Campaign Requests a Hand Recount
With neither candidate having enough electoral votes to win the election, tensions run high in both campaigns. The focus is on several counties that the Gore campaign believes had confusing and difficult to use "punch card ballots". Even opposing candidate Pat Buchanan publicly says that he believes some votes for him were meant for Gore. The Gore team requests hand recounts in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and Volusia counties. Important to note that each of these counties is democratic. -
Bush Campaign Files a Lawsuit
The Bush campaign brings up a lawsuit in federal court intended to stop the hand recounts. This is a huge moment for the campaign, as they just brought a state issue (presidential voting procedure) to the federal level without going to the state first, completely going against Republican ideals. They knew they would lose in Florida Supreme Court because it was majority liberal justices, so they took the risk and brought up a federal lawsuit. -
Katherine Harris Puts Her Foot Down
Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris has the power to call the election in Florida. She comes out and says that there will be no extension on the November 14 deadline according to election law in Florida. There is no way a full hand recount can be conducted in that time (only a little over a day). Broward County calls off its recount and Volusia files a motion in court to complete its recount after the deadline. -
Broward County Turnaround
Broward County decides to conduct its manual recount. In response, the Bush campaign sues alongside Katerine Harris in a suit to block any more manual recounts. Also, Palm Beach requests an advisory opinion from Tallahassee, meaning that they now have to follow whatever the central government of Florida says. -
Palm Beach Begins Recount
At the Supreme Court level, Florida's Supreme Court rules on the Pal Beach lawsuit, deciding that Palm Beach can legally proceed with its recount. Soon after, Palm Beach begins the recount, providing hope for the Gore campaign. -
Florida Supreme Court Blocks Harris
The Florida Supreme Court bars Secretary Katherine Harris from actually calling the election until it can finalize a ruling on the recount disputes. It not only gives the campaigns more time to hash things out, but creates a tension between the court and the executive branch within the Florida government. -
Florida Supreme Court Rules
The Florida Supreme Court finally comes to a unanimous decision, ruling that the hand recounts in the state are allowed to continue. Furthermore, they rule that all tallies from the hand recounts must be counted in the election results, extending the deadline to November 26. This is a big win for the Gore campaign, as the hand recounts will most likely benefit them more than they will Bush. -
Election Results in Florida: Confirmed.
This is a momentous moment in the election. Katherine Harris had a 5 PM deadline and refused to extend it for Palm Beach County, even tough they had a mere 1,000 ballots left to count. She confirms the election results, that Bush won Florida. This gives all 25 electoral votes to Bush and not only wins him the state, bu also decides him as the winner of the US presidency by a 537 vote margin in Florida. -
SCOTUS Makes a Decisive Ruling
The initial lawsuit in Bush v. Gore has finally made it to the Supreme Court of the United States. In a close split, the court makes a 7-2 ruling to stop the manual recounts in Florida, overturning the ruling initially made by the Florida Supreme Court. All of Gore's hopes have been eliminated at this point. Nothing can be done to save the chance of presidency. This decision finalizes the entire debacle, closing the case. -
Gore Concedes
Gore comes out on television and delivers essentially what is his concession speech. He accepts Bush as the 43rd President. The battle for the highest office in the land has come to a close. Gore's concession officially seals the envelope.