Bush v. Gore Decided

Setting the scene

Bush v. Gore was decided December 12, 2000, when the U.S. Supreme Court halted the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election, effectively awarding the presidency to George W. Bush. The election was tied—Bush led in Florida by 537 votes out of 6 million cast, with the outcome determining the Electoral College.

What happened

The Court ruled 5-4 that the Florida Supreme Court's recount violated equal protection because standards varied by county, and that no constitutional recount could be completed by the December 12 safe harbor deadline. The decision was controversial—critics called it partisan, noting the five justices in the majority were appointed by Republicans.

Why it still matters

Bush became president despite losing the popular vote by 540,000. The decision damaged the Court's reputation for neutrality and led to calls for electoral reform. December 12, 2000, demonstrated how close elections could be decided by courts rather than voters.

Background

Bush won the electoral college narrowly.