Bush Leads Gore By 229 in Florida
by DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- George W. Bush's lead over Al Gore in crucial Florida shrank to fewer than 300 votes by unofficial count Thursday with allegations of irregularities swirling and ballots from overseas residents still to be counted.
Recount results from 66 of the state's 67 counties gave Republican Bush a lead of 229 votes out of nearly 6 million cast, according to an unofficial tally by The Associated Press. The original ''final'' margin had been reported at 1,784.
AP called each county election official to get the final recount total for each candidate in their county.
The official recount lagged behind, and Secretary of State Katherine Harris told an early evening news conference that it could be as late as next Tuesday -- a week after the election -- before the state has certified ballot results from all 67 counties. She also pointed out that it would take even longer -- at least until Nov. 17 -- to tabulate ballots cast by thousands of Floridians overseas and postmarked by Election Day.
Harris said Bush had 2,909,661 votes to 2,907,877 for Gore, a difference of 1,784. This was the same margin the state reported Wednesday morning, and her office said it might have been a coincidence. ''Sure that's a possibility,'' Harris chief of staff Ben McKay said. ''Will these numbers be looked at again? Of course.''.....
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Why would a county respond to a AP phone call, when they have not reported the results to the State? On the coincidence of 1784 votes...I think this explains why Ms. Moorehead said a recount never changed a result, they keep the bottom line and adjust the precinct counts to show that they did a recount.
jttmab |
