Everyone is readying for new election in NC's 9th, but parties are sparring over primary

North Carolina’s state board of elections hasn’t yet ordered a new election in the state’s disputed 9th Congressional District, but Republicans and Democrats are already fighting over the rules governing a new vote.

Republican Mark Harris holds a 905-vote lead over Democrat Dan McCready in the U.S. House race, but the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement has refused to certify the results, citing voting irregularities and possible fraud in Bladen and Robeson counties. The board is investigating mail-in absentee ballots in both counties and has subpoenaed the Harris campaign.

It will hold an evidentiary hearing on Jan. 11, more than a week after the new Congress takes office. Democrats in the House are unlikely to seat Harris if his victory has not been certified by the state board.

The Wake County District Attorney’s Office is also conducting a criminal investigation into Bladen County absentee ballots.

Read more: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article223126845.html