In the year 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court made one of the most contentious decisions in its history. The case, Bush v Gore, would have dramatic and lasting implications for the 2020 Presidential Election. Let’s take a look at the issues…
Background
The 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was one of the closest in U.S. history. After some recounts in Florida, it was determined that Bush had won the state by a slim margin, giving him the overall win. Gore, however, did not accept the final result of the election and filed a lawsuit claiming that the Florida recount was unconstitutional.
Bush v. Gore
In December of 2000, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush in the case, Bush v. Gore. In the opinion, the justices found that the recount of Florida ballots violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution because every county in the state had different recount standards, essentially treating different voters differently.
Consequences
The implications of the Bush v. Gore decision extended far beyond the 2000 election. It established a precedent for future presidential elections, setting the stage for the Supreme Court to intervene if there were any recounts that could be deemed unconstitutional. This precedent is a key factor in the 2020 election alongside mail-in ballots and pandemic-related voter suppression.
Conclusion
Bush v. Gore (2000) is an important landmark in U.S. Supreme Court history and has had lasting implications on the electoral process. It serves as a reminder that voter protection is an important constitutional guarantee and that it is our civic duty to protect it to ensure fair and just elections.