Even before all the votes are counted, much less cast, Sen. John Kerry (search) is preparing for a recount. So is President Bush.

In an e-mail sent to supporters Tuesday, the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign manager asked for contributions to pursue a recount — if the election necessitates one.

Neither campaign wants a repeat of the 2000 election, in which Bush and Vice President Al Gore (search) called for recounts in Florida, where the race was close and a number of ballots were called into question.

In her letter, Mary Beth Cahill tells supporters that Gore's campaign raised $3.2 million for its recount effort, compared with Bush's $14 million.

"We can never again be outspent 4-to-1 in such a critical situation," Cahill writes.

But the Kerry fund for which Mary Beth Cahill (search) wants money — the GELAC, or General Election Legal and Accounting Compliance Fund (search) — might not be eligible to pay for a recount battle. The Federal Election Commission (search) is expected to rule on that question by late next week.

The Bush campaign has set up a similar fund overseen by its "Compliance Committee." If such funds are not allowed to pay for legal battles, then Kerry and Bush will have to use their public financing instead.