Hubbard Leads Foxx by 99 Votes in NC-5
No winner has been declared as provisional and absentee ballots remain under review in the fifth congressional district race.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections
Democrat Chuck Hubbard leads Republican Virginia Foxx by 99 votes in North Carolina's fifth congressional district race, and no winner has been declared. The fifth district covers multiple counties, and the outcome remains open as ballots are counted.
Why it matters
A margin this narrow means the final result depends on how remaining provisional and absentee ballots are resolved, and a recount may be possible if the final margin is one percent or less. The outcome will determine which candidate represents the district in Congress.
Hubbard leads Foxx by 99 votes in the unofficial count, with roughly 800 to 900 provisional ballots in Guilford County still under review. A recount is available only if the final margin is one percent or less, and it must be requested in writing by the trailing candidate.
The players
Chuck Hubbard
Chuck Hubbard is the Democratic candidate in North Carolina's fifth congressional district race, currently holding a narrow lead over his opponent.
Virginia Foxx
Virginia Foxx is the Republican candidate in North Carolina's fifth congressional district race, trailing Hubbard by 99 votes in the unofficial count.
The details
The Guilford County election board will review provisional and outstanding absentee ballots to determine which ones count. The official canvass begins 10 days after election day, and recount requests must be submitted in writing to the state board by noon on November 17.
Timeline
November 10, 2026 at 2 p.m. - Guilford County board reviews provisional and outstanding absentee ballots
November 13, 2026 - Official canvass begins across North Carolina counties
November 17, 2026 at noon - Deadline to request a recount in writing
Legal Context
North Carolina allows a trailing candidate in a congressional race to request a recount when the final margin is one percent or less, but the recount is not automatic. This race's narrow margin places it within that range, making the recount option a live question once the official canvass is complete.
Voters in North Carolina's fifth district will not know their representative until provisional and absentee ballots are resolved and the canvass is complete. If the margin stays within one percent, the trailing candidate may request a recount by November 17, which would extend the timeline.
The takeaway
A race decided by fewer than 100 votes can turn on a small number of provisional ballots, so tracking the county canvass and the November 17 recount deadline is the practical way to follow the outcome.
What happens next
The Guilford County board reviews provisional and outstanding absentee ballots on November 10, the official canvass begins November 13, and the recount request deadline is noon on November 17.
Further reading
For more on how close races are decided, see Elections coverage across North Carolina.
