2000 Election Reading

Pre-Reading Questions:

1. How close does an election have to be for a recount?
2. How did the Supreme Court go about deciding a winner?
3. Did the chaos of the election create an animosity between the two candidates?
4. How did the candidates feel and cope with all that was going on during the weeks following the election?
5. How long does it take to hold a proper recount?

Facts/Details:

1. Counting the 2000 election, there has been four elections in which the winning candidate received fewer popular votes than his opponent.
2. The election was decided by a 5-4 vote in the Supreme Court
3. Each Florida county used different styles of ballots, including the questioned "butterfly ballot."
4. The closeness of the election triggered an automatic machine, which confirmed the result, but with an even smaller margin.
5. The Equal Protection Clause was violated, which caused serious difficulties.

Post-Reading Questions:

1. How did they choose what counties should be recounted?
2. Should there be a national uniform voting system?
3. Was it right for the Supreme Court to get involved in this situation?
4. Should the electoral college system be changed or modified?
5. What can government do to prevent this problem in the future?