RALEIGH – Republicans lead in 26 of North Carolina’s 50 Senate districts in unofficial returns, but a 268-vote margin in one southeastern district leaves the chamber’s final balance unsettled as counties review remaining ballots.
State Board of Elections precinct data show Republican Sen. Danny Earl Britt Jr. with 27,860 votes and Democrat Catina Hamm with 27,592 in Senate District 24. The district includes Robeson, Hoke and Scotland counties. The totals are not certified results.
A tally of the leading candidate in each Senate district puts Republicans at 26 seats and Democrats at 24. That would preserve a Republican majority if the results hold. A reversal in District 24, with every other district unchanged, would instead produce a 25-25 split.
That distinction matters because the lieutenant governor presides over the Senate and can vote when the chamber is equally divided. Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt would hold that tie-breaking role. A tied chamber would not, by itself, guarantee passage of any particular bill.
WRAL reported Thursday that county officials are reviewing provisional ballots in the three counties. The existence of those ballots does not establish how many will be approved or which candidates they favor. Provisional ballots require eligibility review before qualifying votes can be added.
The state board says counties will count eligible provisional ballots and cured absentee-by-mail ballots by Nov. 10. Military and overseas ballots mailed by Election Day can arrive through 5 p.m. Nov. 12 and be counted during canvass. Other post-election reviews can also remove ineligible votes.
County canvass meetings are scheduled for 11 a.m. Nov. 13. The State Board’s canvass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Nov. 24. Those steps distinguish the current unofficial count from a certified outcome.
A recount is possible, not automatic. For a non-statewide contest, a trailing candidate may demand one after certification if the margin is 1% or less. For multi-county legislative races, the state board gives a noon Nov. 17 deadline for the written request.
The unresolved count concerns control of the incoming Senate, not a change to the current chamber before the new terms begin.
Sources
- NCSBE: Nov. 3 precinct results ZIP
- WRAL: Nov. 5 Senate-control report
- NCSBE: Post-election counting, canvass and recount procedures
Photo Credit: File photograph of the North Carolina State Legislative Building in Raleigh, July 18, 2026, by P. Hughes via Wikimedia Commons; CC BY 4.0. Cropped and resized; not an election-night scene. NCPN logo is a separate brand mark.
Editor’s Note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.