NORTH CAROLINA –  Today, Friday, November 15 is the deadline for all county boards of elections across North Carolina to finalize county results from the general election. The State Board of Elections will meet Tuesday, Nov. 26, to officially certify the election.

Leading up to the Nov. 15 canvass day, county boards of elections are meeting to count absentee ballots received on Election Day. These boards are also counting absentee ballots mailed by members of the military and U.S. citizens abroad by Election Day and that arrive at county board of elections offices through 5 p.m. on Nov. 14. And they are researching provisional ballots cast during early voting or on Election Day to determine voter eligibility and count the provisional ballots of eligible voters.

Common Cause North Carolina and our partners are actively monitoring these public canvassing meetings of county boards of elections to ensure all votes are properly counted. 

According to preliminary, unofficial results from the State Board of Elections, nearly 5.7 million North Carolina voters participated in this year’s general election, for a 73% turnout.

During the general election, Common Cause North Carolina and other partner organizations helped protect the rights of all voters with our election protection volunteers standing by outside polling places to report any problems to our nonpartisan voter hotline. That voter hotline served as an important resource for answering voters’ questions and monitoring any issues at the polls.

Bob Phillips, Executive Director of Common Cause North Carolina, issued the following statement in response to the general election election:

“We’re grateful for election workers across North Carolina who have tirelessly ensured our election has been safe, secure, and accessible for voters. We especially thank election workers in Western North Carolina who have so admirably served their mountain communities in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

“And we thank voters throughout our state who made their voices heard at the polls this year. 

“While voting ends on Election Day, the important process of counting absentee and provisional ballots continues during this canvassing period. We appreciate the meticulous efforts by county elections staff throughout North Carolina to ensure every eligible ballot is properly counted.

“No matter the outcome of races, the people of North Carolina can have confidence that our election has been free, fair, and secure.

“Finally, we encourage state lawmakers to take note of the record high number of voters who utilized important voting options like early voting. North Carolina can be proud to be a national leader for voting accessibility because of options like early voting and same-day registration, which benefit voters of all parties. 

“Instead of attempting to limit access to the ballot box or dismantling popular voting options, lawmakers should build upon the successes of our election system and ensure our dedicated election workers have all the resources they need to keep our elections free, fair, and secure.” 

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