The Associated Press retracted its call for the Republican candidate in a North Carolina House race on Friday as state elections officials examine potential irregularities with absentee ballots.
The AP had called the 9th Congressional District race for Republican Mark Harris on Nov. 9. The Democratic candidate, Dan McCready, conceded earlier this month and said he would not request a recount.
But the North Carolina State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement has not yet certified Harris’ presumed 905-vote victory over McCready, citing “claims of irregularities and fraudulent activities related to absentee by-mail voting.” The board voted 7-2 to hold a hearing on the matter in late December.
The board is investigating claims of door-knockers urging voters to hand over their absentee ballots, even when they hadn’t been filled out, according to the Washington Post. Other people said they had received absentee ballots by mail when they had not been requested. It is illegal to turn in someone else’s ballot.
“In this case, AP is treating the board’s action as if the race has proceeded to a recount,” the news outlet said. “AP does not call winners in any election that is subject to a recount. AP will not call the race until state officials certify the results.”
The state board could end up holding a new election.
