NCSBE certifies election results, NCGOP calls for board member recusal in Supreme Court protest

The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) convened on Tuesday to certify the results of the November 5 general election during a meeting that highlighted the state’s record voter turnout and ongoing challenges in several contested races.

The canvas is the process of verifying votes have been accurately counted and recorded, which leads to the official certification of the election results. All 100 counties have been conducting their canvas period, which takes place 10 days after the election. Meanwhile, under state law, the State Board of Elections is responsible for tabulating primary and election returns to declare the results.

“The counties have canvassed and finalized results, except for contests that are subject to a recount,” said Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell. “This is the suggested motion for the board, that you would canvass the votes and cast in all ballots in the November 5 general election within the jurisdiction of the state board, except for the contests under recount, and that you would authenticate the composite abstract.”

While races were certified, the NCSBE said it would hold off on issuing certificates in several races due to pending recounts and protests. The board addressed several races still under review that have delayed final certification in some contests, including the Supreme Court Associate Justice, Senate District 18, Senate District 42, House District 32, and House District 105, along with several local races.

With all 100 counties completing their canvasses, the NCSBE confirmed that 5.7 million ballots were cast, a 73% turnout and the most ballots ever cast in a North Carolina election. Of those, nearly 300,000 were absentee by mail, while over 4 million votes came from early voting, reflecting the state’s high voter engagement.

The statewide contest between Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin for the North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice seat remains unresolved and under a recount. The race is currently under recount, and a related protest has further delayed certification. Just before the Board meeting on Tuesday morning, the NCGOP called for board member Siobhan Millen to be disqualified from participating in election protests surrounding the Supreme Court race. The motion centers on a potential conflict of interest, as Millen’s husband is a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, the law firm representing Justice Allison Riggs in the contested race.

“This motion is about ensuring integrity and impartiality in the election process,” said NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer. “The facts demonstrate a clear conflict of interest that undermines public confidence in the impartiality of the State Board.”

The board agreed to postpone discussions on the subpoena request in the Supreme Court protest while analyzing the potential conflict of interest. The issues will be revisited in a future board meeting.

“Considering that agenda item concerns the Griffin protest and the motion, which we cannot consider today because it’s not an agenda item, and wouldn’t anyway, we want to give everybody an opportunity to digest that. I don’t think we have anything further to discuss today,” said Board Chair Alan Hirsch.

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