After a night of suspense and drama, the presidential vote is cast but the verdict is unknown. The outcome of the race between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore hung on an incomplete vote count Wednesday in Florida, where fewer than 1,700 votes separated the two candidates out of 96 million cast across America.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Although hundreds of votes in Florida separated the fates of George W. Bush and Al Gore, more than 105 million Americans cast ballots in the presidential election.

A commission of ex-presidents and other political pooh-bahs has come up with some tepid recommendations to prevent future Floridas. Tame, that is, until you get to the part about replacing a trip to the mall with a stop at the voting booth.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Voter turnout in Minnesota was the highest in the nation this year, just ahead of South Dakota, according to a survey by a Washington-based research organization.