Gore Wins N.M., but State to Delay Making It Official

SANTA FE, N.M. — The state canvassing board, yielding to concerns of the state Republican Party about votes that included no presidential choice in Roosevelt County, agreed Tuesday to certify Vice President Al Gore the winner of the presidential race in New Mexico by 483 votes but not to make the results official until Thursday.

Republicans said it was “highly unusual” that 10% of those who cast votes in the county--about 570 people--did not vote for president. Republicans have rejected a similar argument by Democrats that so-called undervotes be examined in Florida, where Texas Gov. George W. Bush was declared the winner by state officials.