NC Board of Elections explains what happens with close races

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Some statewide races came down to the wire last night. And others, like the vote for governor, are still too close to be called.

While Democrat Roy Cooper claimed victory for the state’s top office late last night, Republican incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory said the outcome probably won’t be known until the Nov. 18 canvass of votes across the state. As of this afternoon, only about 5,000 votes out of more than 4.6 million cast separated the two men.

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There are other statewide races that could come down to the final tally and beyond. So how does that work? The NC Board of Elections today sent out a news release outlining the process:

1. Absentee ballots. Mail-in absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 14.  Overseas and military absentee ballots are accepted through Nov. 17
2. Sample Audit. Every county conducts a sample hand-to-eye count of ballots in randomly selected precincts and one-stop locations to confirm results tabulated by machine. Counties must conduct their hand-to-eye counts in public.
3. Provisional ballot meetings. Each county board of elections will meet before certifying the election to make decisions on provisional applications submitted by voters during early voting and on Election Day.  If the board determines that the voter is eligible, the provisional ballot is counted. Provisional ballots are cast when an individual’s registration information does not appear in the poll books or there are other questions about that person’s eligibility to vote.
4. County canvass. County boards of elections will certify results at public meetings held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18.
5. Recounts. For statewide contests this year, the vote difference must be 10,000 votes or less for a candidate to demand a recount after the county canvass. The demand for a recount must be in writing and received by the State Board of Elections no later than noon Tuesday, Nov. 22. If a recount is demanded, the State Board of Elections Office would issue a schedule, and the counties would conduct recounts individually during open meetings. For non-statewide contests, the difference between the candidates must be within 1 percent of the total votes cast in the ballot item.
6. State canvass. The State Board of Elections will certify statewide results for all federal, statewide, multi-district and judicial contests at a public meeting held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.  Results in each contest are not considered official until that date.