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UpdateNorth CarolinaWednesday, November 4, 2026

North Carolina recount rules could decide close 2026 midterm races

State law sets different vote margin thresholds for statewide and local contests that would trigger recounts.

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
WXII
“North Carolina recount rules could sway close midterm races”, Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

North Carolina recount rules could determine the outcomes of close 2026 midterm races after the county canvass on November 13. For a statewide contest, the margin must be no more than 0.5% of votes cast or 10,000 votes, whichever is fewer. For a non-statewide contest, the difference must be 1% or less of total votes cast.1

Specific recount deadlines will depend on the race and final results.1

0.5%
vote margin threshold for statewide recount1
10,000 votes
alternative vote difference threshold for statewide recount1
1%
vote margin threshold for non-statewide recount1
What it means in North Carolina

What North Carolina voters should know

County boards canvass at 11 a.m. on the 10th day after the election, November 13, or a reasonable time thereafter if counting is incomplete despite due diligence. The State Board canvasses at 11 a.m. on the third Tuesday after the election and may adjourn up to 10 days for missing county abstracts, which is December 4, 2026.2

Key dates in North Carolina

Election Day in -7 days
  1. Fri, Oct 9 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Thu, Oct 15 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Tue, Oct 20 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Sat, Oct 31 · passed
    Early voting ends
  5. Tue, Nov 3 · passed
    Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Thu, Dec 10 · 30 days
    State certification

Every date in North Carolina, and who certifies the election

More on this story
North Carolina · Nov 9
North Carolina outlines steps to finalize 2026 midterm results
Reporting by NC State Board of Elections press releases
North Carolina · Nov 4
North Carolina extended voting at 5 precincts after stoppages
Reporting by NC State Board of Elections press releases
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in North Carolina, 2026How are votes counted and certified in North Carolina?Is a recount automatic in a close race?

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Sources

  1. WXII, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxOczJEby1HTEhzcUpQVW0tbmhIM2t5a09EckE1aTM4M1dubVJLWEgySGJlOWVUZFpyZnBSZzlseDlvaW9wNHM1bi1sLXdycE5VSlJWUHZDOVZDVGJzQXFmbmV1akZSdU5zV3JRX2RCU1pkRThFQll0N3Mzdk1Rd09kTlNXWQ?oc=5 · Wednesday, November 4, 2026
  2. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines

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