North Carolina voters are still waiting for final results in a handful of tightly contested races as county canvasses approach. The state’s election laws require a recount when the margin between the leading candidate and the runner‑up is less than 1% of total votes cast, and several contests are sitting right at that line.
State House race in Watauga County
Democrat Charlie Wallin, who lost a county commissioner race two years ago by 19 points, is now challenging Republican State Rep. Ray Pickett for the far‑northwestern State House seat. After counting Election Day ballots, provisional, military, overseas and cured absentee votes, Wallin leads by 345 votes, a 0.92‑percentage‑point edge. While the lead is within the 1% recount threshold, Wallin says a recount is unlikely to overturn the result, though he would request one if the tally flipped.
Congressional races in the balance
In the 2nd Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy initially led Democratic challenger Raymond Smith by fewer than 300 votes. After provisional and cured absentee ballots were added, Smith took a 293‑vote lead, also within the recount threshold. Murphy chose to concede, praising Smith’s character and expressing disappointment at not continuing his work for Eastern North Carolina.
Other close House contests include the 7th District, where Democrat Kimberly Hardy trails Republican Rep. David Rouzer by a couple of thousand votes, and the 10th District, where Democrat Ashley Bell trails Rep. Pat Harrigan by about 2,500 votes. Both campaigns say they are reviewing all options, including recounts if the margin stays under 1%.
In the 5th District, Democrat Chuck Hubbard was ahead of Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx by 99 votes on Election Night. After adding provisional and cured absentee ballots, Hubbard’s lead grew to 335 votes. Foxx called for nonpartisan election observers to monitor the post‑Election Day count, emphasizing the importance of a transparent process.
State Senate and House implications
The most consequential state legislative race is State Senate District 24. Republican Sen. Danny Earl Britt Jr. leads Democrat Catina Hamm by 228 votes (0.4%). If Britt holds the seat, the Senate will remain split 26‑24 in favor of Republicans, keeping the chamber out of Democratic control. A Britt loss would create a 25‑25 tie, allowing Democratic Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt to break ties and give Democrats effective control of the Senate.
In the State House, Democrats have secured a majority, but a few districts remain undecided. The closest pending race is in New Hanover County’s House District 20, where the margin is still within the recount threshold.
What comes next?
County canvasses are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m., when officials will add any remaining acceptable military and overseas ballots and consider challenges to provisional or cured absentee votes. Recounts, if requested, must be completed by the state canvass on Nov. 24. Assuming no further protests, the State Board of Elections will certify statewide results on Nov. 30, while county‑level races will be certified by Nov. 19.
North Carolina’s election process, with its clear thresholds and timelines, underscores the state’s commitment to a transparent and orderly transition of power, even when races are decided by a handful of votes.
Original reporting: Carolina Public Press — read the source article.
