Here's background on the contested election tally and a timeline on what to expect next. In the pivotal moment of the contested presidential election, the US Supreme Court remanded a Dec. 8 Florida Supreme Court decision that gave Al Gore a crucial victory and the chance for a statewide recount of Florida ballots. Al Gore conceded on the evening of Dec. 13, and George W. Bush gave a victory speech an hour later. George W. Bush is now the country's president-elect.
Chads are the pieces of cardboard voters punch out of ballots using a stylus.
Dimpled or pregnant chads show evidence of pressure, but have not become detached from their perforations. Dangling or hanging chads have been partially detached, but have not yet fallen from the ballot. Punched chads have been completely punched out from the ballot by the voter. Even though Bush has been certified the winner, Florida's decisive 25 electoral votes remain contested. But Al Gore is set to formally challenge the state's certification, saying the vote totals do not accurately reflect voters' intentions.