PORTALES, N.M. — George W. Bush picked up some New Mexico votes but not enough to overturn Al Gore's lead in the state after Roosevelt County hand-counted some presidential votes in response to Republican questions.
The state Canvassing Board on Thursday waited for the county to certify its election recount results before officially declaring a winner.
State District Judge David Bonem oversaw a recount of straight ticket ballots in the southeastern New Mexico county. The recount was prompted by Republican concerns about numerous county voters not casting ballots for president in the Nov. 7 election.
Roosevelt County's hand-recount added 324 votes to Bush's total and 209 votes to Gore's, cutting Gore's lead statewide to 368 votes, according to unofficial totals.
A statewide canvass of returns Tuesday showed Gore ahead by 483 votes: 286,578 to 286,095.