North Carolina election officials are weighing whether to consolidate complaints alleging vote fraud in a move that could speed up deciding a victor in the state’s very close governor’s race.
Advertisement
The conclusion to one of the most bitterly contested governors’ races in the country remains in doubt, with Attorney General Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee, now leading McCroy by about 6,500 votes. The five member board – three Republicans, two Democrats, and all of them appointed by the governor – heard arguments from both McCrory’s campaign attorneys and attorneys representing Attorney General Roy Cooper.
Unofficial results from the State Board of Elections late Monday put Cooper ahead of McCrory by about 6,500 votes from almost 4.7 million cast.
“By any definition, Roy Cooper has won this election”, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) told reporters Tuesday, adding that McCrory’s “creative methodology to challenge this election” is “reckless” and “frivolous”.
The chances are growing slimmer as counties count more votes and the totals don’t seem to be going McCrory’s way.
Governor Pat McCrory has officially requested a statewide recount.
The state board of elections issued additional guidance to counties over the weekend about how and which provisional ballots to count from voters who may have registered at the DMV but did not appear on the voter rolls.
But McCrory has repeatedly allegd voter fraud, filing complaints in about half of the state’s 100 counties.
Meanwhile, the Civitas Center for Law and Freedom (CLF) said it has filed a federal lawsuit requesting a restraining order against the inclusion of ballots cast via same-day registration in the 2016 North Carolina election, pending further investigation.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper’s team now says he is beating Gov.
Ms. Lewis told the News-Times the protest from the County Republican Party challenges the ballot of a resident they say was ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction. The counting process has been slowed by factors including Republican-led challenges.
Monday, Cooper launched a transition website and announced appointments to his transition team. But rather than give into the fatigue, North Carolinians need to pay close attention to the conflict that continues to brew over the governorship. Pat McCrory on Wednesday morning.
Advertisement
Whether McCrory can prove enough voter fraud to reach that point – and whether the Republican-controlled legislature would actually flip the election McCrory’s way – has been a topic of speculation in the Tar Heel State, but for now the possibility is safely in the distance. The state is still on track to certify the election results on November 29 but state law allows an extension up to 10 days.
