LUMBERTON — A race that could determine control of the North Carolina Senate — and could give Democrats unified control of the Legislature — has tightened as election officials reviewed provisional ballots.
But incumbent Republican Sen. Danny Britt maintained his lead over Democrat Catina Hamm after election officials in the district’s three counties completed their review of provisional ballots. Britt now leads Hamm by 228 votes, up from 268 on Election Day.
The district includes all of Hoke, Scotland, and Robeson counties.
Democrats flipped four Senate seats in the election, giving them 24 seats in the 50-member chamber. A Hamm victory would result in a 25-25 party split, with Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt having the power to break ties. A Britt victory would preserve the Republican majority at 26 votes to 24.
Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Election Day for the first time since 2010. Republicans have controlled both chambers since 2011.
When Robeson County election officials announced the provisional final tally of the vote, Britt raised his fists in the air and walked out of the room smiling and with tears in his eyes.
Britt became emotional during an interview with WRAL, repeatedly holding back tears as he reflected on what the results meant for his family and his political future. Britt was first elected in 2016.
“I have spent the last decade serving in the State Senate, most of my children’s lives, dedicated to Robeson County and southeastern North Carolina,” Britt said.
Britt acknowledged that a recount and possible election protests could still follow, but expressed confidence that the outcome would not change.
“We are confident that a recount will not change anything,” Britt said. “We are convinced that any challenge to a vote will not change anything.”
Hamm did not respond to WRAL’s requests for comment.
More than 800 provisional ballots were reviewed in the three counties. All accepted and rejected ballots were unanimous Tuesday by the bipartisan election commissions in Scotland and Robeson counties.
Provisional ballots are used when questions arise about a voter’s eligibility, including registration issues, missing photo ID, or voting in the wrong precinct. County officials determine the eligibility of these ballots before counting them.
A recount during the race is possible, but not automatic. North Carolina law allows the trailing candidate in a statewide race to request a recount if the final margin is 1 percent or less of the total votes cast. Britt’s lead is less than 1%.
Because the 24th Senate District includes multiple counties, any recount request must be submitted to the State Board of Elections by noon on Nov. 17. The National Elections Council is expected to certify the Senate race during its November 24 consultation.
Eligible military and overseas ballots can still count if they were mailed before 12:01 a.m. on Election Day and arrive at the county elections office by 5 p.m. on Thursday. There are 24 military and overseas ballots remaining in the three counties.
Provisional ballots
Hoké: 59 accepted, 105 rejected (Hamm obtained 17 votes)
Scotland: 55 accepted, 76 rejected (Hamm obtained 26 votes)
Robeson: 311 accepted, 218 rejected (Britt received nine votes)
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