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Florida Election Officials Must Accept Late Returns, Court Rules
The Florida Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Tuesday that state elections officials must accept amended presidential returns as late as this Sunday or Monday, a spokesman for the court announced.
"The court rules that amended certifications from the county canvassing boards must be accepted by election canvassing commission until 5:00 p.m. (2200 GMT) on November 26," spokesman Craig Waters said in a brief statement read on the courthouse steps in the state capital of Tallahassee.
He said that the seven-judge court also ruled that if the secretary of state's office is not open for that purpose on November 26, the amended vote returns must be accepted until 9:00 a.m. (1400 GMT) on November 27.
The ruling is a victory for the campaign of Vice President Al Gore, Democrat presidential candidate.
The court's decision could be key to determining the victor in the November 7 election. Gore needs 931 more votes to surpass Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush and win the 25 Electoral College votes from Florida.
Hand recounts are still going on in three Democratic-leaning counties.
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