Harnett County Board of Elections approves two provisional ballots for federal contests despite missing ID

The Harnett County Board of Elections voted to add two provisional ballots to the county’s federal contests after the state instructed counties to review and approve certain returned provisional ballots.

Board staff told members that the state board returned the two provisional ballots because county records lacked either a driver's license number or the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number. Staff said state law prevents counties from counting state contests when that identification information is missing, but federal law requires counting federal contests. The state had directed counties to re-evaluate and approve those ballots for the federal races, staff said.

“We have to count those federal contests,” a staff member said, explaining the difference between state and federal requirements and noting the state sent similar guidance to 10 other counties. The staff member said both provisional ballots were Democratic and that adding them increased the tallies for Cooper and Behinger in the federal contests.

A board member moved to approve the returned provisional ballots and another board member seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the chair declared the motion carried. The meeting record did not include a roll-call tally.

Staff said preliminary, revised canvass results including the two ballots had been sent to the state and that the canvass reports would be finalized and re-signed after the meeting. The staff member also said the county had attempted to reach the two voters but had not received replies and could not read their names aloud to protect voter privacy.

Minutes from March 3, 6, 10 and 13 were also approved by voice vote during the meeting.

The board recessed into a closed session to discuss personnel under statutory provision 14318.11.