The official Florida result announced yesterday will be contested before the state courts by the loser.
The winner may also take legal action as a precautionary move against future court decisions. Mr Gore may address the nation.
December 1st: The US Supreme Court is to hear the Bush appeal against the Florida Supreme Court decision to allow hand recounts.
A decision is likely in the following week. It is not clear what will happen to a series of challenges in the Florida courts by Mr Gore.
December 12th: The 50 states select the 538 electors for the Electoral College, based on who won in each state.
December 18th: The Electoral College casts its votes. Whoever wins a majority (270) is the next President. Neither Mr Gore nor Gov Bush can reach this number without Florida's 25 electoral votes.
January 6th: Congress meets to formally count the Electoral College votes. Members of the House and Senate can challenge the results from a state.
If neither candidate is seen to have a majority of the College, the House votes, with one vote for each state's delegation. The Republicans would probably win this vote.
January 20th: The new President is inaugurated. If no new President has been elected at this stage, the Speaker of the House, Mr Dennis Hastert, fills the post on an acting basis.