The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Thursday for a new election in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.
The vote followed a surprise statement to the State Board from Republican Congressional Candidate Mark Harris, who himself called for a new election in a race in which he was accused of participating in an absentee ballot harvesting scheme. Marc Elias, an attorney for Democratic Challenger Dan McCready, said his client supported Harris’ call for a new election.
Democracy North Carolina Executive Director, Tomas Lopez, issued the following statement in response:
“The evidence presented and testimony provided during the State Board of Elections’s hearings revealed that the district’s congressional election was tainted and faith in its fairness was compromised. We agree with the State Board and both candidates involved — a new election is warranted and what the voters of North Carolina deserve.”
A new law would require another primary and general election in the 9th Congressional District. The State Board will set the dates for a new election.