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Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board

531 U.S. 70 (2000)

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Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board

United States Supreme Court
531 U.S. 70 (2000)

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Facts

The Florida Division of Elections announced on the day after the 2000 presidential election that George W. Bush had won Florida’s electoral votes. Bush had received only 1,784 more votes than Al Gore. This margin triggered an automatic machine recount under Florida law. After the machine recount, the margin further narrowed. Gore requested manual recounts in four counties. However, Florida law required counties to submit their election returns to the Florida Department of State no later than seven days after the election. The four counties requested an extension of the deadline in order to complete the manual recounts. The Florida secretary of state directed the counties to submit a written statement explaining the need for an extension. The counties did so, and the secretary denied the request. The Florida Supreme Court invoked its equitable powers under the Florida Constitution and ruled that the deadline was extended by 12 days.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)

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