What triggers a recount in NC? When is a race called? What to know for 2024 elections
Close races sometimes result in recounts.
But each state has different rules about when a recount may happen.
In North Carolina, the rules for ordering recounts differ for statewide and non-statewide ballot items.
Here’s what to know about calling races and ordering recounts in North Carolina.
Election Day is November 5.
When are election results reported?
Elections results are reported throughout the evening on Election Day.
- The results of absentee-by-mail votes that have been approved by county boards of elections are released after polls close on Election Day. Results are uploaded to the State Board of Elections’ online dashboard.
- The results from early voting are released after polls close on Election Day, typically between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Results are shared on the state board’s online dashboard.
- The results of ballots cast on Election Day are shared throughout the evening on Election Day. Polls do not close until anyone who is in line to vote before 7:30 p.m. has voted. Precincts hand-deliver results to county boards of elections. The online dashboard is updated throughout the night.
When can a recount happen in North Carolina?
State law allows for both discretionary and mandatory recounts.
- Discretionary recount: A county board of elections or the state board can order a discretionary recount to complete the canvass (a process to make sure that votes have been correctly counted). But a county board can’t order a recount if the state board already denied it.
- Mandatory recount for non-statewide ballot items: A candidate may demand a recount if the difference between the votes cast for that candidate and the other candidate is not more than 1% of the total votes cast in that ballot item. (In a multi-seat ballot item, the difference may be no more than 1% between the candidate requesting the recount and those two candidates.)
- Mandatory recount for statewide ballot items: A candidate may demand a recount if the difference between the votes for that candidate and the votes for a prevailing candidate is not more than 0.5% of the votes cast, or 10,000 votes, whichever is less.
To demand a recount, a candidate must make a request to either the state or county board — whichever has jurisdiction over the contest in question — soon after the canvas is completed.
Who calls races in North Carolina?
State and county election officials do not call races.
News publications and/or candidates “call” races for a candidate using unofficial results. (The News & Observer reports The Associated Press’ race projections in election coverage.)
During a canvass process, which occurs after every election, elections officials ensure that votes have been correctly counted and that audits have been completed. The post-election audits are meant to verify that no equipment tampering, ballot stuffing, and voting machine or counting errors have occurred.
Every county board meets 10 days after Election Day to certify results. The State Board certifies final results in late November.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
