The most accurate assessment of the importance of websites to presidential elections by the year 2000 would be:
D) All candidates had heavily text-based websites by the year 2000.
By the year 2000, candidates recognized the potential of the internet as a tool for communication and campaigning. While websites during this time were often text-heavy, they served as central hubs for information about candidates, their platforms, and campaign activities. The use of the internet was becoming increasingly important in reaching voters, especially younger demographics, and it marked a significant shift in how campaigns were run compared to previous elections that relied more heavily on traditional media like television and radio.