Given that an automatic recount already was triggered by the closeness of the Florida election, why is there yet another recount being undertaken in certain counties?
Florida law gives any candidate a right to make a written request that a county canvassing board conduct a manual recount. Such a request must be made within 72 hours after midnight of the date of the election or prior to the time the canvassing board certifies the results, whichever is later. The Gore campaign made such a request in four counties; the Bush campaign did not request any manual recounts in Florida. The county board may, but is not required to, authorize a manual recount. If a county decides to conduct a manual recount, the recount is open to the public. The county must appooint “counting teams” of at least two voters each with, when possible, members of at least two political parties. If a counting team can’t determine a voter’s intent from inspecting the ballot, the team presents the ballot to the county canvassing board for a determination of the voter’s intent. The Bush campaign’s federal court complaint contends, in part, that the lack of standards to govern the deci
