U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Florida Court

Dec. 13 -- The U.S. Supreme Court all but assured George W. Bush the presidency late Tuesday, reversing a Florida court decision that had ordered a recount of tens of thousands of disputed ballots.

Just two hours before a federal deadline for certifying presidential electors, the deeply divided court voted 5-4 to overturn a Florida Supreme Court decision that had ordered the state’s 67 counties to recount ballots that did not register votes on Election Day, ruling the move violated the equal rights provision of the U.S. Constitution.

But the nation’s highest court did leave open the slim possibility that the Florida court could reconsider its decision, sending the case back to the state Supreme Court for further review. However, the court seemed to recognize that time is a key factor.