(The Center Square) – Friday’s deadline of 5 p.m. came and went and the North Carolina State Board of Elections, led by a Democratic majority and Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell, indicated counties that did not meet it are at no penalty.

Closely watched across the state is a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, where Republican Jefferson Griffin is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Allison Riggs. Early Friday evening, with 13 counties still unofficial, Griffin led by 2,753 votes.