Democratic Party officials said Wednesday a recount of some six million ballots in Florida was moving too fast to address complaints about the vote in that state, and they have threatened lawsuits over alleged irregularities.
"Where is the sunshine in the Sunshine State?" Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Jenny Backus asked CNN. She said Florida elections officials had not taken steps to address complaints about voter intimidation and ballot problems before conducting the recount.
Florida's 25 electoral votes remain unclaimed as elections officials recount ballots cast in Tuesday's election. The recount was expected to be completed Thursday, the state Division of Elections said in a statement.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Republican George W. Bush was leading Democrat Al Gore by just 1,784 votes, with some mail-in absentee ballots uncounted. Since the margin was within 0.5 percent, state law requires a recount.
Both campaigns have sent aides to Florida to observe the recount -- TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AFP)
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