As Americans, we are grateful for the privilege of living in a country where even our most heated conflicts can be resolved peacefully. And we must work together to address the country's pressing needs. But we cannot and must not forget that our democratic principles were gravely violated in this election. Vice President Gore did the nation a great service in the weeks since Election Day by insisting that the outcome of the election should rest on the principle that every person has the right to cast a vote that counts. That must continue to be the guiding principle as we uncover the facts about the election in Florida and move to ensure that future elections there and in other states are conducted with greater fairness.
Justice demands it.
There is no question that a tremendous injustice has been done to the citizens of Florida and the nation, especially all those who worked hard to convince their fellow citizens to participate in the process and vote. It is nothing short of disgraceful that the Supreme Court majority used the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause to halt the counting of votes and validate an election whose outcome relied on the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of voters. The Bush campaign appealed to federal authority to overrule the state Supreme Court's attempts to determine the will of the voters. We and our allies will insist that the new administration aggressively support federal investigations of the Voting Rights Act and hold accountable election officials responsible for denying thousands of Floridians, disproportionately African Americans, the right to vote. Acknowledging that thousands of voters were disenfranchised, and moving to prevent future elections from being tainted by such disenfranchisement, is a necessary step for the national healing for which President-elect George W. Bush has called.