The 2000 Election
A Test of America's Democratic Systems
If Americans chose their Presidents through direct popular elections, Vice President Al Gore would be preparing to move into the Oval Office. Instead, the Constitution established the Electoral College, where slates of electors from each State determine who becomes the President.In the 2000 election, final counts in 49 States gave Vice President Al Gore, the Democratic candidate, approximately 50.1 million popular votes and Texas Governor George W. Bush, the Republican nominee, approximately 49.8 million votes. In the Electoral College, Gore’s lead was 267 to 246, with the final outcome resting on the disputed results in the State of Florida and…
