What was the closest presidential election in US history?

The 2000 United States presidential election between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore stands as one of the closest and most controversial in American history. The outcome remained uncertain for weeks after Election Day, ultimately being decided by a razor-thin margin in Florida and a landmark Supreme Court decision.

The election’s outcome hinged on Florida’s 25 electoral votes. On election night, the race in Florida was too close to call, with Bush leading by only about 1,700 votes out of nearly 6 million cast. This narrow margin triggered an automatic machine recount under Florida law, which reduced Bush’s lead to just 327 votes.

The Supreme Courty decision that ended the 2000 election

Gore’s campaign requested manual recounts in four Florida counties, setting off a series of legal challenges. Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris certified Bush as the winner by 537 votes on November 26. Gore sued, and the Florida Supreme Court ordered a statewide recount of undervotes on December 8.

Crucially, Bush appealed to the Supreme Court, which halted the recount on December 9.

Three days later, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Bush v. Gore. In a 7-2 decision, the Court found that the lack of uniform standards for the recount violated the Equal Protection Clause. This meant they found that Gore’s call for a recount meant Bush was not being treated equally before the law.

In a 5-4 decision, the majority ruled that no constitutional recount could be completed by the December 12 “safe harbor” deadline. This effectively ended the recount and secured Florida’s electoral votes, and thus the presidency, for Bush.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore continues to be debated by legal scholars and political analysts. It also set the stage for increased scrutiny of voting procedures and election administration in subsequent elections, which resonate more than ever today.