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NOVEMBER 17, 2000

Judge Terry P. Lewis, a Florida County Circuit Judge, had decided not to force Secretary of State Katherine Harris to include results from counties still manually tabulating their votes.

Harris on Wednesday said she would not accept the new counts and certified that Texas Governor George W. Bush holds the lead. Lewis' ruling says Harris is within her power to refuse the recounts.

Presently, Broward and Palm Beach counties are still counting votes, a count which the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday said could proceed without limitation. But Lewis' ruling puts those in doubt, since Harris doesn't have to accept them.

The Al Gore campaign is expected to appeal Lewis' ruling to the state Supreme Court, however, is expected, so the debate is not over just yet.

The deadline for receipt of all overseas ballots is midnight tonight. On Saturday, Harris will certify those and if Bush is still in the lead, it is expected he will assume the Presidency.

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