Merrick’s lead over Scalise narrows to 81 votes in N.C. House District 20 race
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The race for North Carolina House District 20 remains extremely close, with Democrat Tim Merrick’s lead over Republican Dane Scalise shrinking to just 81 votes following the counting of additional ballots.
According to updated results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections, Merrick has received 22,160 votes, or 50.09%, while Scalise has received 22,079 votes, or 49.91%.
Merrick initially led by 101 votes following the Nov. 3 election.
The New Hanover County Board of Elections counted additional provisional and absentee ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 10, narrowing Merrick’s advantage by 20 votes.
The county reviewed 1,036 provisional ballots and 90 absentee ballots as part of the post-election process.
Race remains eligible for recount
With just 81 votes separating the candidates, the contest remains within the margin required for a candidate-requested recount.
According to the State Board of Elections, a losing candidate in a non-statewide race may request a recount if the margin is 1% or less of the total votes cast in the contest.
The current margin in the District 20 race is approximately 0.18% of the 44,239 votes reported.
That means Scalise would be eligible to request a recount once the results are certified.
Following election night, Scalise declined to comment on whether he would seek a recount.
No recount request has been confirmed in the information provided.
Official results expected Friday
The election results remain unofficial until the New Hanover County Board of Elections conducts its county canvass on Friday, Nov. 13.
The canvass is the process in which election officials review and certify the county’s results.
Any recount would take place after the county canvass, with the State Board of Elections indicating that mandatory recounts should be completed before the state canvass.
All 17 precincts in the district have reported results.
The outcome of the race will determine who represents District 20 in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Updated election results are available through the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
