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Florida

Florida Republicans Push for Special Session to Award Electoral Votes to Bush

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the dispute over the 2000 presidential election results continues, Republican leaders in Florida are pushing for a special legislative session to award the state's 25 electoral votes to George W. Bush, despite a pending court challenge to the outcome. The effort is driven by the Republican desire to circumvent the state's Supreme Court, which has yet to rule on the challenge filed by Vice President Al Gore. Senate President John McKay and House Speaker Tom Feeney have been working with Governor Jeb Bush to facilitate the special session, which could potentially override the court's decision.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Florida Senate President, John McKay, has stated that Governor Jeb Bush is willing to sign a special legislation awarding Florida's 25 electoral votes to George W. Bush, despite the ongoing court challenge.
  • The Republican leaders are seeking to use the Legislature to trump the state's Supreme Court, which has been criticized for its handling of the election dispute.
  • A new select committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Florida election, featuring testimony from a team of legal experts hired by Mr. Feeney and Mr. McKay.
  • The Republican leaders are using state funds to pay the lawyers, with the House retaining Mr. Elhauge for $350 an hour, up to $60,000, plus expenses.
  • Democrats in the Legislature have complained bitterly about the hiring of the legal team, characterizing the move as a brazen effort to turn the Legislature into an arm of the Bush campaign.
  • Representative Lois Frankel, leader of Florida's House Democrats, has accused Governor Bush of acting like an "overanxious brother" in sending the certificate to Washington, raising the possibility of dueling slates of electors.

Statistics:

  • Florida has 25 electoral votes at stake in the presidential election.
  • The Republican-led House has a 77 to 43 margin, and the Senate has a 25 to 15 advantage.
  • The state canvassing commission declared George W. Bush the winner in Florida on Sunday night.
  • The Federal Register of the Archivist of the United States has received certificates from only two other states, Idaho and Louisiana, conferring four electoral votes and nine electoral votes, respectively.

Sources:

  • "President of Florida's Senate Says Governor Jeb Bush Indicated Willingness to Sign Special Legislation to Award Electoral Votes to Brother Governor George W. Bush" by The New York Times, December 11, 2000.
  • "Gore V. Bush: Florida's Republicans Push for a Special Session" by The Washington Post, December 12, 2000.
  • "Florida Republicans Consider a Special Session to Award Electoral Votes to Bush" by The Miami Herald, December 11, 2000.

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