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UpdateNorth CarolinaThursday, November 5, 2026

Ten close North Carolina races could head for recounts

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
WUNC
“What's next for 10 close election contests in NC?”, Thursday, November 5, 2026
Read the full story
What happened

Three North Carolina congressional races and seven state legislative races could be headed for recounts following close results on election night. Republican incumbents David Rouzer and Greg Murphy hold narrow leads in the 7th and 3rd congressional districts, while Democrat Chuck Hubbard leads Rep. Virginia Foxx by just 99 votes in the 5th district. A state Senate race where Sen. Danny Britt leads by fewer than 300 votes could determine which party controls the chamber.1

County boards will hold canvass meetings on Nov. 13, after which trailing candidates within 1% may request recounts, though provisional and mail-in ballots added before then could shift some results.1

What it means in North Carolina

What happens next

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.

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 9
North Carolina recount rules could decide close 2026 midterm races
Reporting by WXII
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in North Carolina, 2026How are votes counted and certified in North Carolina?Who certifies the election in North Carolina, and by when?

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Sources

  1. WUNC, https://wunc.org/politics/2026-11-04/10-close-election-contests-in-nc-recounts-provisional-ballots · Thursday, November 5, 2026

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