Contributed
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Bipartisan State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement on Tuesday unanimously certified the results of most 2018 general election contests in North Carolina and settled a campaign finance issue with the committee of state Sen. Ralph Hise.
State Canvass
The State Board did not certify the results of the 9th Congressional District race. In his motion, Board Vice Chairman Joshua Malcolm cited the Board’s authority under G.S. 163A-1180 as the reason for delaying certification of that contest.
That statute gives the Board the authority to “take any other action necessary to assure that an election is determined without taint of fraud or corruption and without irregularities that may have changed the result of an election.”
The Board also did not certify the results of the following contests because of protests or recounts: N.C. House District 103 (Mecklenburg); N.C. District Court 26A Seat 2 (Mecklenburg); N.C. District Court 16B Seat 2 (Robeson); County Commissioner Districts 2 and 4 (Lee); Board of Education District 2 (Pitt); Board of Education District 6 (Wayne); Sheriff (Columbus); Tabor City Mixed Beverage (Columbus); Clerk of Superior Court (Rockingham); Sheriff (Montgomery).
Hise settlement
Also, the Board unanimously entered a settlement under which the Ralph Hise for NC Senate committee agreed to “disgorge funds in the amount of $500, and reimburse the State Board in the amount of $4,000 for expenses incurred in the course of its investigation” into campaign finance-related issues with that committee.
The State Board investigation began after Greg Flynn of Wake County filed a complaint regarding campaign finance disclosure filings that were later amended by the committee. State Board Chairman Andy Penry thanked Flynn for bringing the issues to the State Board’s attention, adding that the Board relies on the work of volunteers and watchdogs to help hold public officials accountable.
All meeting documents — including the settlement agreement, the canvass materials and audio of the meeting — are here.
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