Gore wins key states

The vital states of Florida and Michigan have fallen to Al Gore, giving him the edge in the early stages of the race to become President.

The vital states of Florida and Michigan have fallen to Al Gore, giving him the edge in the early stages of the race to become President.

Florida, where Republican nominee George W. Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor, had been the scene of a neck-and-neck race, with both candidates spending large amounts of time in the state.

The news that Gore had also won Pennysylvania was another blow for the Republicans, meaning Bush now has to pull an amazing recovery out of the bag.

So far, Green party candidate Ralph Nader had polled less than expected, providing more good news for Gore.

Under the presidential voting system, voters in 50 states and the District of Columbia select 538 representatives to the Electoral College, which in turn votes for the president. A candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes to win.