Election protest filed by New Hanover commissioner dismissed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As election canvassing continues across the state, New Hanover County Board of Elections moved to dismiss a protest from County Commissioner Dane Scalise in a 3-2 vote on Friday.

Scalise’s protest alleged that the county violated state election law by not counting some absentee ballots on election night.

The board of elections determined that these allegations did not present an irregularity in the election process.

The county will now move to certify the election results by end of day, with Scalise (R), Bill Rivenbark (R), and Stephanie Walker (D) currently securing a spot on the county board of commissioners.

Those results remain unaffected by additional absentee and provisional ballots counted during canvassing, with the exception of Walker, who pulled ahead from third place to second over Scalise.