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UpdateNorth CarolinaTuesday, November 10, 2026

Two North Carolina House races separated by fewer than 100 votes

Provisional ballots could decide two U.S. House races in North Carolina headed toward recounts.

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
Democracy Docket
“Tight North Carolina congressional races could hinge on a handful of provisional ballots”, Tuesday, November 10, 2026
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What happened

Two U.S. House races in North Carolina are separated by fewer than 100 votes and are headed toward likely recounts, with provisional ballots potentially deciding both outcomes. In the 3rd District, Rep. Greg Murphy leads Democrat Raymond Smith by 80 votes, while in the 5th District, Rep. Virginia Foxx trails Democrat Chuck Hubbard by 48 votes. Watauga County, in the 5th District, has already rejected 79 provisional ballots, a 23% rejection rate.1

All 100 of the state's county election boards have Republican majorities, and a rule change this summer lowered the threshold needed to reject photo ID exception forms from a unanimous vote to a simple majority.1

80 votes
Rep. Greg Murphy's lead in the 3rd District1
48 votes
Chuck Hubbard's lead in the 5th District1
23%
Provisional ballot rejection rate in Watauga County1

Key dates in North Carolina

Election Day in -9 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 · 28 days
    State certification

Every date in North Carolina, and who certifies the election

More on this story
North Carolina · Nov 11
Provisional ballot reviews keep two North Carolina races close
Reporting by WCTI
North Carolina · Nov 11
North Carolina counties reviewed 650 provisional ballots in close Senate race
Reporting by WRAL
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in North Carolina, 2026How are votes counted and certified in North Carolina?Do provisional ballots count?

Explore this issue

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Sources

  1. Democracy Docket, https://democracydocket.com/news-alerts/tight-north-carolina-congressional-races-could-hinge-on-a-handful-of-provisional-ballots · Tuesday, November 10, 2026

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