After counting the provisional and mail-in ballots, the count “Against” the 1/4 cent sales appears to be holding by one single vote.
Under North Carolina law, county boards of elections must review provisional ballots for eligibility issues such as registration or photo ID after Election Day. Eligible votes then are counted and added during the canvass period. Today was the day they were counted.
But, don’t celebrate or lament the results yet. They are still unofficial, until at least Friday. Yet, a recount could still be ordered further delaying the official results.
At the end of today’s process (officially known as a canvass period), the 1/4 cent sales tax proposal dropped from a nine vote “Against” lead to a one point lead. And for the board, it is really just too close to call without a proper recount. But the die may already be cast.
Election drama
Here’s how it all went down:
- At the end of election day, the 1/4 cent sales tax appeared defeated by just nine votes – 7,862 “Against” and 7,853 “For”.
- After the provisional and mail-in ballots were counted today, the “Against” votes “won” with a one-vote margin – 7,888 “Against” and 7,887 “For”.
After such a close count, board members wanted to conduct a recount. But state election officials said a recount was unnecessary. Now, the board must decide what to do next.
Unless something changes, the election could be certified Friday. Until then all vote counts are technically unofficial.
Needless to say, every single vote matters.
