After reviewing provisional ballots, the Dare County Board of Elections discussed next steps for finalizing results and verifying the machine tabulation.

Kelly, elections staff, told the board that any approved provisional votes will be added to the county’s election reporting and that the board will review write-ins and sign reports at Canvas. “These results will be added into election reporting, and so, that would change the totals,” Kelly said.

The board reviewed the zero-replicate (0 on tape) output for the provisional machine and discussed when to sign the replicate tape. Kelly said the replicate and write-in documentation will be posted on the county website and reviewed at Canvas.

Audit and recount timelines

Staff said the state has selected Manns and Duck (names in the transcript) for the manual hand-to-eye audit of the mayor contest; two bipartisan teams will hand-count ballots to verify the dS300 machine tabulation. The manual audit is intended to confirm the accuracy of machine results.

Kelly reminded the board there has not been a written demand for a recount as of the meeting. She explained that candidates trailing within 1% of the winner have until 5 PM the next business day after Canvas to file a written demand for a recount; the board stated that deadline as 5 PM on November 17.

Meeting scheduling

The board scheduled a pre-Canvas meeting for the thirteenth at 5 PM (noted as potentially canceled if not needed) and Canvas (statutorily required) for the fourteenth at 11 AM; all members were reminded that Canvas is by statute and attendance is required. Randy Feininger will participate remotely for Canvas.

What happens next

At Canvas the board will examine all tapes and reports, review and sign the write-in list, resolve discrepancies and—if there are no outstanding issues—certify the election. Staff will inform the board if a written recount demand is submitted in the allotted timeframe.