Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled Tuesday that the State Board of Elections is in the best position to weigh the factual and legal issues related to the 9th Congressional District contest. The court denied Mark Harris’ request to order that he be certified the winner of that race.
State Board investigators continue to thoroughly investigate irregularities, including absentee-by-mail voting irregularities, in the 2018 general election. Elections staff are preparing for a public evidentiary hearing to give North Carolina voters a full picture of the issues that affected that contest.
Only after a full hearing on the record will State Board members be able to make an informed decision on whether to certify a winner or order a new election.
Five members are expected to be appointed to the State Board on or after January 31.
“We look forward to providing a full accounting of what transpired once a Board is seated,” said Kim Westbrook Strach, State Board executive director. “Public confidence in our elections system demands it.”