Commentary:
OUT OF DIVISION, DECISION
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Bush v. Gore

Wednesday 13 December 2000 9PM EST (0200 UTC 14 December) - Vice President Al Gore, in a national address, concedes the election to George W. Bush. One hour later, President-Elect George W. Bush gives his victory speech.

Concession and Victory Speeches

Wednesday 13 December 2000 10 AM EST (1500 UTC) - Reports state that Vice President Al Gore has directed the Gore-Lieberman Recount Committee to cease operations. The Vice President will address the nation this evening at 9 PM EST (0200 UTC 14 December).

Tuesday 12 December 2000 10PM EST (0300 UTC 13 December) - The Supreme Court issued a decision regarding the manual recount which was ordered by the Florida Supreme Court and remanded the case back to Florida. The Supreme Court saw Constitutional problems with the Florida Supreme Court's recount order and saw Constitutional problems with any further recounts. Text of the Ruling

Monday 11 December 2000 - On Saturday 9 December 2000 in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered a halt to the Florida hand recounts. The unofficial tally from the Florida Supreme Court ordered hand recount was Bush +154 when the recount was stopped. Text of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision to halt the manual recount

Friday 8 December 2000 - In a 4-3 decision, the Florida Supreme Court has reversed Leon County Circuit Court Judge N. Sanders Sauls decision. The court has ordered manual recounts of ALL undervotes in ALL counties. Text of Florida Supreme Court Decision

We have received a lot of e-mails regarding the issue of whether or not Presidential Electors may or may not defect from the Party that chose them in their casting of Electoral Votes (the so-called "Faithless Elector"). Check out our response: MAY ELECTORS DEFECT?

Tuesday 12 December 2000 - The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the lower courts' decisions regarding absentee ballots in Seminole and Martin counties- NO absentee ballots will be thrown out.

Tuesday 12 December 2000 - In a special session, the Florida House approved a slate of 25 Bush electors. The Florida Senate will meet on Wednesday 13 December or Thursday 14 December for their consideration on this issue. The deadline for selecting uncontested electors is 12 December.

PRESIDENT

• Constitutional provisions for the election of the President and Vice-President
  
• Federal Law governing the election of a President and Vice-President
  
• Florida General Election Statutes

Popular vote [includes Florida certification of 26 November]:
(national margin 337,576 for Gore)
Gore: 50,158,094
Bush: 49,820,518

Additional Notes...
LAME DUCK 106^th CONGRESS