Current:Home > NewsNorth Carolina county boards dismiss election protests from legislator. Recounts are next-LoTradeCoin
North Carolina county boards dismiss election protests from legislator. Recounts are next
View Date:2024-12-23 20:25:55
HALIFAX, N.C. (AP) — Elections boards in three northeastern North Carolina counties that make up a House district have dismissed formal protests filed by a 10-term state legislator who is narrowly trailing in his Democratic primary from earlier this month.
By Tuesday afternoon, the boards in Warren, Northampton and Halifax counties had disposed of the challenges filed late last week by Rep. Michael Wray, officials said.
Results from the counties that compose the reconfigured 27th House District show Rodney Pierce, a schoolteacher from Halifax County, leading Wray by 35 votes out of nearly 12,000 ballots cast for the March 5 primary.
Wray also on Monday asked for a recount of his race in each county, with that work starting Wednesday, Pierce attorney Swain Wood said.
Wray’s protests challenged what happened with more than a dozen voters and alleged that a Democratic poll observer at a Halifax County precinct instructed voters to choose Pierce, violating the law.
In Halifax County, the board unanimously agreed that Wray in part “failed to contest the manner in which votes were counted or results tabulated sufficient to cast doubt on the results of the election” and failed to offer substantial evidence of a law violation, irregularity or misconduct that could determine the outcome. The protest decisions could be appealed to the State Board of Elections.
In a written statement, Wray said he was disappointed with the dismissal but is looking forward to the recount results. Pierce said he’s pleased with how the board handled Wray’s protests and is confident the recount “will confirm the results of the initial count” that favored him.
Wray, who joined the House in 2005, has been criticized by outside groups and other Democrats for aligning himself at times with leaders in the Republican-controlled House, where he’s been made one of the senior chairmen of the powerful finance committee.
Three other General Assembly incumbents lost their primary elections: Democratic Sen. Mike Woodard of Durham County and Republican Reps. George Cleveland of Onslow County and Kevin Crutchfield of Cabarrus County.
veryGood! (35192)
Related
- ‘I got my life back.’ Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program
- Third man pleads guilty in connection with threats and vandalism targeting New Hampshire journalists
- Beaconcto Trading Center: What is decentralization?
- Noncitizens are less likely to participate in a census with citizenship question, study says
- Sister Wives’ Madison Brush Details Why She Went “No Contact” With Dad Kody Brown
- Oregon fire is the largest burning in the US. Officials warn an impending storm could exacerbate it
- Tarek El Moussa addresses Christina Hall's divorce news: 'We're here to help'
- How much is $1,000 a month worth? New study explores impact of basic income
- Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
- Watch Taylor Swift bring back cut song to Eras Tour acoustic set in Hamburg, Germany
Ranking
- Democrat George Whitesides wins election to US House, beating incumbent Mike Garcia
- Trump rally gunman fired 8 shots in under 6 seconds before he was killed, analysis shows
- Suburban Alabama school district appears headed toward state oversight
- Kim Kardashian Details the Beginning of the End of Relationship With Mystery Ex
- Why Dolly Parton Is a Fan of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Little Love Affair
- 3 North Carolina tree workers shot and suspect injured during arrest by deputies, officials say
- Did 'Veep' predict Kamala Harris' presidential run? HBO series sees viewership surge
- SSW Management Institute: A Benefactor for Society
Recommendation
-
Bev Priestman fired as Canada women’s soccer coach after review of Olympic drone scandal
-
Oregon fire is the largest burning in the US. Officials warn an impending storm could exacerbate it
-
A neurological disorder stole her voice. Jennifer Wexton takes it back on the House floor.
-
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is here to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe
-
Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
-
Dead couple washes ashore in life raft, prompting Canada police investigation
-
A plan to replenish the Colorado River could mean dry alfalfa fields. And many farmers are for it
-
John Schneider marries Dee Dee Sorvino, Paul Sorvino's widow