Election Day: North Carolina board extends voting at five sites in four counties after technical problems; unofficial results delayed to at least 8:15 p.m.

L2Who’s affected

Columbus and Hertford, now confirmed: The Center for NC Politics first reported these from its live notes ("Columbus County's single precinct extended 45 minutes to 8:15 P.M."; in Hertford, "Como precinct for 25 minutes and the Murfreesboro precinct for 30 minutes"). The News & Observer now reports the board's actions: "In Hertford County, voting was extended by 25 minutes to 7:55 p.m. for the Como Fire and Rescue Building, 1201 US 258, Como and by 30 minutes to 8 p.m. for the Murfree Center, 201 E. Broad St., Murfreesboro, precincts." WITN: "Voting at the South Williams-Tabor City Courthouse in Columbus County was extended by 45 minutes after the BOE approved the motion."

L3Why it’s quiet

Who's affected: In Lenoir, "Those arriving after 7:30 p.m. during the extended period will be directed to vote provisional ballots," while "Voters already in line at 7:30 p.m. will vote regular ballots" (Neuse News). Officials said "backup labels were available at the polling site but were not used" (Neuse News). "Lenoir County Elections Director Kristie Smith clarified that one of those people had already registered and voted during early voting Friday. The other voter left because she needed to get to work, Smith said"; "We do have her name," Smith said (Neuse News).

L4Deeper impact

Deeper impact: "Public election results will be delayed until at least 8:15 p.m. in North Carolina" (The News & Observer). Earlier, The NC Beat reported "The Board said the release of results could be pushed back from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m." "State law allows the state board to extend voting hours at sites where voting was interrupted for at least 15 minutes, but extensions are only allowed at the affected sites and for as long as the disruption occurred" (The News & Observer). "Elsewhere in the state, polls are still scheduled to close at 7:30 p.m. Voters who are in line by that time will still be allowed to cast a ballot" (WFAE). All results tonight are unofficial.

L5Full context

Full context: "The board decided against extending voting at precincts in Gates, Watauga and Wilkes counties" (The News & Observer). Wilson, which the Center for NC Politics first listed as awaiting more information, was extended: "In Wilson County, voting was extended by 15 minutes to 7:45 p.m. at the Recreation Park Center precincts, 500 Sunset Road, Wilson" (The News & Observer). "Election officials said workers were able to use backup systems in most cases and that all technical problems have been resolved" (WFAE). State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes said at an 11 a.m. news conference: "These are not indications of malicious activity" (The News & Observer). The board's 4 p.m. news conference was under way as of this update; we found no reporting from it yet.

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