The North Carolina State Board of Elections has officially certified the results of the 2025 municipal elections, a decision reached in a unanimous vote. While most election outcomes have been validated, two races in Harrellsville remain under review and have not yet been certified. This scrutiny is due to concerns that necessitate further investigation by the Hertford County Board of Elections.
In September, three counties conducted municipal partisan primaries, with voter participation reaching over 42,000 from an eligible 530,000, resulting in an 8% turnout. Subsequent elections on October 7 involved 18 counties hosting nonpartisan primaries, where approximately 78,000 voters cast their ballots, equating to about 12% of the 650,000 eligible voters. The most significant electoral event occurred on November 4, when municipal elections were held across 447 municipalities in 88 counties, garnering over 701,258 ballots and achieving a turnout of nearly 19.8% of the approximately 3.5 million eligible voters.
Election Process and Certification
Following established election protocols, county boards of elections initially certified the results at the local level before the State Board undertook statewide authentication. The recent certification by the State Board was facilitated by a comprehensive series of post-election audits, which confirmed the accuracy of the machine-tabulated results.
Sam Hayes, the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections, praised the successful execution of these municipal elections. In a statement released by the board, Hayes highlighted the collaborative efforts of county boards, precinct officials, and State Board staff in providing a secure and trustworthy voting experience. He underscored their vital role in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
The audits conducted post-election aim to verify the outcomes and identify any potential instances of fraud or irregularities that could affect the results. The latest audit report has validated the performance of the voting machines, reinforcing Hayes’ assertion that North Carolina’s certified voting systems consistently count ballots with a high level of accuracy.
Looking Ahead: Harrellsville Races Under Review
While the certification of the results signifies progress towards finalizing the 2025 municipal elections, the inquiry into the Harrellsville mayoral and town council races continues. The Hertford County Board of Elections has been tasked with providing additional information regarding their findings before these specific contests can be certified.
Hayes expressed confidence in the integrity of the voting machines and the overall electoral process, assuring voters that the final certified results genuinely reflect the will of the people. As the board continues its work, the focus remains on ensuring that all aspects of the election are thoroughly vetted and confirmed.
