Questions: Which diagram best describes how the winner of the 2000 presidential election was determined? A. The Florida Supreme Court ordered a recount in several Florida counties. → George W. Bush won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency. B. The Florida Supreme Court ordered a recount in several Florida counties. → Al Gore won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency. C. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a state court ruling ordering a recount of votes in Florida. → George W. Bush won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency. D. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a state court ruling ordering a recount of votes in Florida. → Al Gore won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency.

The answer is C: The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a state court ruling ordering a recount of votes in Florida. → George W. Bush won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency.

Explanation for each option:

A. Incorrect. While the Florida Supreme Court did order a recount in several Florida counties, this option does not accurately describe the final outcome. The U.S. Supreme Court intervened, which is a crucial part of the process that led to George W. Bush winning the presidency.

B. Incorrect. This option suggests that Al Gore won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency, which is not true. The recount ordered by the Florida Supreme Court was halted by the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to George W. Bush winning Florida's electoral votes.

C. Correct. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore effectively stopped the recount in Florida, allowing the previously certified results to stand. This resulted in George W. Bush winning Florida's electoral votes and, consequently, the presidency.

D. Incorrect. This option incorrectly states that Al Gore won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision led to George W. Bush winning the electoral votes from Florida.