October Term 2000 · Docket 00-949
Does Florida law require a uniform standard for counting ballots?
The dispute centers on whether Florida election officials applied inconsistent standards during the recount.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Chief Justice Rehnquist opened the session and commended the parties.
The Chief Justice noted the parties filed exemplary briefs.
The Chief Justice praised the parties for their conduct.
The Chief Justice thanked the parties for their professionalism.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 47-49
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case involves the 2000 presidential election recount in Florida. the sides that brought the case seek a uniform recount standard. the opposing sides argue the current process is lawful.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 11, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 47-49
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want a uniform standard for counting ballots.
the opposing sides want the current recount process to stand.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue inconsistent standards violate equal protection.
the opposing sides argue state law allows local discretion in counting.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
What the justices asked
Does Florida law mandate a single statewide standard?
Can local officials use different criteria for counting?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 47-49
Why it matters
The outcome defines how states must conduct election recounts. It sets the standard for uniformity in voting procedures. It impacts the integrity of future election disputes.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 47-49
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 49-35 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 49-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-25 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-25
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.