Presidential election
2000 presidential election
George W. Bush defeated Al Gore, winning 271 of 538 electoral votes and 47.9% of the popular vote.
Results
51.2%
Turnout rate
105.4M
Total votes cast
205.8M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida(FL) | 25 | RepublicanBush | +0.009% |
| New Mexico(NM) | 5 | DemocraticGore | +0.06% |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 11 | DemocraticGore | +0.2% |
| Iowa(IA) | 7 | DemocraticGore | +0.3% |
| Oregon(OR) | 7 | DemocraticGore | +0.4% |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 4 | RepublicanBush | +1.3% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Dick Cheney
Home state
Texas
Age at election
54
Previous position
46th Governor of Texas
Campaign slogan
"Compassionate Conservatism"
Popular vote
50.5M
(47.9%)
Electoral votes
271
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Joe Lieberman
Home state
Tennessee
Age at election
52
Previous position
45th Vice President of the United States
Campaign slogan
"Prosperity for America's Families"
Popular vote
51.0M
(48.4%)
Electoral votes
266
Men
Bush
53%
Women
Gore
54%
White Voters
Bush
54%
Black Voters
Gore
90%
Hispanic/Latino
Gore
62%
18-29 Age
Gore
48%
Key events
First Presidential Debate
Gore's sighing and eye-rolling hurt his image
Election Night Chaos
Networks called Florida for Gore, then Bush, then 'too close to call'
Florida Certified for Bush
Katherine Harris certified Bush winner by 537 votes
Bush v Gore Decision
Supreme Court stopped recount, effectively deciding election
Issues & context
Closest election since 1876. First time since 1888 that popular vote winner lost Electoral College. Supreme Court determined outcome. End of Clinton era prosperity.
Economic boom and budget surplus. Dot-com bubble beginning to burst. Unemployment at 4%. Prosperity was the backdrop.
Gore was sitting VP but distanced himself from Clinton due to Lewinsky scandal. Should have been easy win given economy. Clinton fatigue helped Bush.
Most controversial election in modern history. Bush v Gore precedent. Questions about Electoral College legitimacy. 9/11 would define Bush presidency. Nader spoiler debate.
Did you know?
- 1.Florida decided by 537 votes out of nearly 6 million cast
- 2.Butterfly ballot in Palm Beach likely cost Gore thousands of votes
- 3.Gore won popular vote by over 500,000
- 4.Five Supreme Court justices were appointed by Republicans
- 5.Gore did not contest New Hampshire (4 electoral votes) which would have won him election