Recount ruling vital in fight for Florida

TALLAHASSEE - The bitter fight for the White House is likely to hinge on whether a Florida judge allows a recount of disputed ballot papers.

With the United States presidential race now a legal contest, Vice-President Al Gore declared that American democracy was at stake as Republican rival George W. Bush's camp accused the Democrats of trying to overturn the election result.

Mr Gore pledged to fight for a complete vote tally in Florida as his legal team challenged a deadline laid down by a Republican official to end vote counting in the state.

The deadline of 5 pm (11 am today NZ time) announced by Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris could help to hand the White House to Mr Bush. He leads Mr Gore in Florida by fewer than 400 votes.

The deadline is set by state law, but Democrats say it can be extended at Ms Harris' discretion. The election will not be finally over at least until Friday - the deadline for overseas absentee ballots to arrive.

Judge Terry Lewis is due to rule about 10.30 am local time (4.30 am today NZT) whether to uphold or dismiss the Secretary of State's deadline for all recount results.

Officials in one of the counties, Broward, decided late yesterday to cut short their manual recount, saying a partial recount had turned up no significant change from an electronic count.

But the Democrats immediately said they would take the county to court to force completion of the hand count.

Last night, the Los Angeles Times reported the rival camps had discussed a deal to end the political stalemate, which would see the Democrats renouncing further lawsuits in return for the Republicans allowing the Florida recount to proceed.

The presidential contenders each polled 48.9 per cent of the nearly 6 million votes cast in Florida. The state's 25 electoral votes would give either man the 270 votes needed in the Electoral College to win.

A Bush camp spokeswoman, Karen Hughes, said the Texan would abide by whatever decision emerged by Friday.

She said Mr Gore was trying to subvert the law: "Today, the Vice-President essentially said we should ignore the law so that he can overturn the results of this election."

Mr Gore spoke after winning one legal skirmish against Mr Bush.

"While time is important, it's even more important that every vote is counted and counted accurately," he said.

"There is something very special about our process that depends totally on the American people having a chance to express their will without any intervening interference."

Mr Gore hopes that when votes in four Democratic-leaning counties are hand-counted, he may move ahead of Mr Bush in the count.

- REUTERS

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