Florida judge on hold after US Supreme Court ruling

7:30 AM

TALLAHASSEE - A Florida judge has put on hold his expected ruling on Democrat Al Gore's challenge to the US presidential election in order to review the impact of a US Supreme Court decision.

Shortly before Judge N. Sanders Sauls was expected to rule on Gore's request for a recount of some ballots in the pivotal state, the US Supreme Court set aside a Florida high court ruling last month that extended the deadline for counties to submit their results from manual recounts in the Nov. 7 election.

"We are on hold pending our being able to determine whether the US Supreme Court decision has any effect on our proceedings," said Leon County Circuit Court administrator Terre Cass.

Sauls presided over a two-day trial at the weekend. Gore sued seeking a partial, manual recount in counties where his lawyers contend there are enough hidden votes to overturn the certified Florida result that gave Republican George W. Bush victory in the state.

Both Bush and Gore need the state's 25 electoral votes to win the presidency. State officials eight days ago declared Bush the winner in Florida by 537 votes of 6 million cast in the election.

- REUTERS

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