Current:Home > FinanceNorth 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 22:47:48
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! (5296)
Related
- Messi breaks silence on Inter Miami's playoff exit. What's next for his time in the US?
- Jennifer Lopez shuts down question about Ben Affleck divorce: A timeline of their relationship
- Why Robert Downey Jr. Calls Chris Hemsworth the Second-Best Chris
- Save 20% on This Tatcha Moisturizer I’ve Used Since Kathy Hilton Sprayed It on Real Housewives
- Women suing over Idaho’s abortion ban describe dangerous pregnancies, becoming ‘medical refugees’
- Florida attorney general says state will investigate Starbucks for DEI practices
- Chelsea Lazkani Breaks Silence on Divorce After Estranged Husband Accused Her of Being Violent
- Trooper was driving around 80 mph on Vermont interstate before crashing into fire truck, report says
- The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
- Holocaust museum will host free field trips for eighth graders in New York City public schools
Ranking
- Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
- Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid stand by Harrison Butker after controversial graduation speech
- Those who helped file voting fraud allegations are protected from suit, North Carolina justices say
- Jennifer Lopez shuts down question about Ben Affleck divorce: A timeline of their relationship
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- Woman jogger killed by naked man rampaging through Swiss park
- Rodeo star Spencer Wright holding onto hope after 3-year-old son found unconscious in water a mile from home
- Federal environmental agency rejects Alabama’s coal ash regulation plan
Recommendation
-
The Army’s answer to a lack of recruits is a prep course to boost low scores. It’s working
-
A look at the White House state dinner for Kenya's president in photos
-
Cassie Ventura reacts to Sean Diddy Combs video of apparent attack in hotel
-
Why Patrick Mahomes Wants Credit as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s “Matchmaker”
-
Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
-
New to US: Hornets that butcher bees and sting people. Humans are fighting back.
-
Florida attorney general says state will investigate Starbucks for DEI practices
-
Black Lives Matter activist loses lawsuit against Los Angeles police over ‘swatting’ hoax response