NCGOP asks state to investigate alleged cash-for-votes effort in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Republican Party has asked the State Board of Elections to investigate what it calls an alleged cash-for-votes scheme in New Hanover County.

According to the NCGOP, a registered voter reported receiving text messages claiming they would be paid $100 in exchange for casting a ballot for three Democratic Wilmington City Council candidates. The messages allegedly included plans to meet the voter at a polling place after voting.

Party officials say the allegation surfaced within the last 72 hours and was immediately forwarded to state election officials.

“This is troubling. An allegation of paying a voter and attempting to buy votes in an election is an affront to our shared values,” NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons said in a statement. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to the integrity of honest elections and will continue to work diligently to keep North Carolina elections fair, free, honest, and transparent.”

No candidates were named in the NCGOP statement.

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek also issued a statement Friday, saying his office is in communication with election officials and prepared to assist:

I’ve had communications with State Board of Elections leadership on this concerning news out of New Hanover County. Our office will provide any additional resources or assistance needed to thoroughly investigate this matter. We will hold any bad actors accountable and give voters confidence in our elections.

WWAY has reached out to the North Carolina Democratic Party for a statement.

The New Hanover County Democratic Party released the following statement:

The New Hanover Democratic Party is fully committed to free, fair, and secure elections and believes anyone trying to purchase votes should be prosecuted. That said, let’s be clear about the facts here. One well-known local MAGA activist received a text message from an anonymous untraceable number not affiliated with any candidate or party, with nothing to suggest it’s indicative of a widespread scheme. Unfortunately, instead of waiting for the NC Board of Elections to investigate this farce, the NCGOP is trying to turn this into a sensationalized circus to change the subject from their Communications Director being caught threatening journalists with retaliation yesterday.

Worse, the NHCGOP Chair already admitted in writing that he knows exactly who filed this dubious complaint, a “Trump 47” volunteer who he “trusts as far as [he] can throw.” When the NHCDP learned about this accusation three days ago, we offered to help get to the bottom of it and disavow any alleged election fraud. Instead, the NCGOP orchestrated this fearmongering performance, which underscores their extremism and desperation, mere days before Election Day.