The Latest:
A judge has denied Mark Harris’ election certification request.Β The judge says,Β βcertification is not appropriate until investigation into the protest is completed.βΒ Check back for updates.
The following statements have been released regarding the decision:
βFrom day one, North Carolina Democrats have maintained that we need a full investigation into Republican Mark Harrisβ efforts to silence voters across the Ninth district. We are pleased that Harrisβ frivolous request has been denied and that North Carolina can get back to investigating allegations of systematic electoral fraud committed on behalf of Harrisβ campaign. Only a full, public investigation can begin to repair the damage Mark Harris and North Carolina Republicans have inflicted on our state and our voters.β
– NCDP
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“Nothing about todayβs court hearing changes the fact that Congressman-Elect Dr. Mark HarrisΒ won the election. HeΒ received more legal votesΒ and no public evidence has shown the outcome is in doubt. We are confident that Dr. Harris will be certified by the new State Board and will be seated in Washington.”
– NCGOP Chairman Robin Hayes
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Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled Tuesday that the State Board of Elections is in the best position to weigh the factual and legal issues related to the 9th Congressional District contest. The court denied Mark Harrisβ request to order that he be certified the winner of that race.
State Board investigators continue to thoroughly investigate irregularities, including absentee-by-mail voting irregularities, in the 2018 general election. Elections staff are preparing for a public evidentiary hearing to give North Carolina voters a full picture of the issues that affected that contest.
Only after a full hearing on the record will State Board members be able to make an informed decision on whether to certify a winner or order a new election.
Five members are expected to be appointed to the State Board on or after January 31.
βWe look forward to providing a full accounting of what transpired once a Board is seated,β said Kim Westbrook Strach, State Board executive director. βPublic confidence in our elections system demands it.β
– NC State Board of Elections
Original Story (Posted Jan. 21, 2019):
RALEIGH, NC — Due to an illness, Mark HarrisΒ will not attend Tuesday’s hearing regarding his lawsuit to certify the results of the 9th Congressional District race. The announcement was made by his campaign Monday night.
Harris was scheduled to be at the hearing where a judge could decide whether or not to certify his win, but, according to his campaign, the congressman-elect has been dealing with “complications stemming from an infection” and will not be able to attend.
Mark Harris released the following statement Monday night regarding his absence:
“This is a big week for us, and I’m disappointed I can’t be there in person at the hearing in Raleigh. I have full confidence in our team that will be on hand to make our case for certification. The doctors expect a quick, full recovery and I look forward to representing the citizens in Congress soon once we receive certification.”
The Harris campaign says doctors have identified the infection and he is receiving treatment.
Harris defeated Democrat challenger Dan McCready by a narrow margin in November, but certification of the election was postponed due to allegations of ballot tampering and possible fraud.
