Call For US Vote Recount Is Rejected

George W. Bush becomes US president after the Supreme Court rejects a call for a vote recount.

In 2001, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected a call for a recount of crucial votes in the state of Florida which determined the result of the US presidential election. Republican candidate George W. Bush was declared the winner by a few hundred votes and became U.S. president despite widespread doubts about the accuracy of the count.

recount (noun): the counting again of something (usually votes)
reject (verb): not accept; decline; refuse
crucial (adjective): very important; essential
Republican (noun): one of the two main political parties in the USA
candidate (noun): person hoping to be selected for a job or elected to a political position
accuracy (noun): the state of being correct or exact

Cartoon reflecting cynicism over Florida ballot
Contemporary cartoon reflecting local cynicism and disbelief over the voting arrangements and validity of results in the American presidential election of 2000 (which was decided in 2001).
Source: Mike Collins, Taterbrains.com

Mini Quiz

1. The call for a recount of votes in Florida was made in order to ensure that
a) George W. Bush won the election
b) George W. Bush lost the election
c) the real winner became the US president

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2. The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States ensured that
a) George W. Bush won the election
b) George W. Bush lost the election
c) the real winner became the US president

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3. Which of the following is absolutely essential in a true democracy?
a) accuracy in vote counting
b) biased rulings on election disputes
c) the election of leaders from powerful families

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Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.