Democrats Lead in Two Close North Carolina Races
Unofficial Election Day results show Democrats ahead in two competitive legislative districts and statewide judicial contests, pending county canvass.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrats led unofficial results in two competitive North Carolina legislative races and in statewide judicial races on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Republicans maintained leads in several other Eastern North Carolina legislative districts.
Why it matters
The results could affect control of key legislative seats in North Carolina, where the House District 9 race is separated by only 175 unofficial votes. Final outcomes will depend on provisional and absentee ballots still being reviewed by county election officials.
Unofficial returns show Claire Kempner ahead of Timothy Reeder by 175 votes in House District 9, 18,187 to 18,012, and Anita Earls ahead of Sarah Stevens with more than 2.4 million votes to about 1.7 million. These figures are unofficial and remain subject to canvass review of outstanding ballots.
The players
North Carolina State Board of Elections
The state agency that oversees elections in North Carolina and reported the unofficial election-night returns.
Anita Earls
A North Carolina Supreme Court justice who led her statewide judicial race in unofficial returns against Sarah Stevens.
The details
Election-night data show Democrats Gloristine Brown, Kandie Smith and Jessica Rivera leading in their respective districts, while Republicans maintained leads in several other Eastern North Carolina legislative races. Republicans hold a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the statewide judicial outcome will be finalized only after certification.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election held and unofficial results reported.
County canvass period: Counties review provisional and absentee ballots before certifying results.
Political Context
Final control of several tightly contested seats will be determined during the county canvass, which North Carolina law requires before certification. Republicans currently hold a majority on the state Supreme Court, so the judicial results will be closely watched for any shift in that balance.
Residents in the affected districts should expect final results only after county canvasses are completed. Because the House District 9 margin is only 175 unofficial votes, late-counted ballots could change the outcome.
The takeaway
Close races can shift during the canvass, so unofficial election-night totals should be treated as provisional until certification.
What happens next
County canvass proceedings will review provisional and absentee ballots before results are certified.
Further reading
Track the latest in Elections coverage as county canvasses move toward certification.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Public Radio East.
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