Dec 28, 2018 - Politics & Policy

North Carolina elections board dissolves amid fraud investigation

Zachary Basu

Mark Harris at a campaign — Republican Mark Harris. Photo: Sean Rayford via Getty Images

North Carolina's elections board dissolved Friday without certifying the results of the state's 9th congressional race, which has been marred by allegations that a contractor for Republican Mark Harris committed election fraud to help him defeat his Democratic opponent Dan McCready, the New York Times reports.

The big picture: The board disbanded as a result of an unrelated court order that ruled its structure was unconstitutional.

Investigators looking into allegations of misconduct involving absentee ballots were planning to present their findings to the board at a Jan. 11 hearing. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday he would name an interim board to ensure the hearing took place, but Republicans in the state argue the board would not have legitimate authority to rule on the case.

What's next: The allegations will not be settled by the time the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, with incoming speaker Nancy Pelosi saying she will not seat Harris until the allegations are settled. In the event that a new elections board is not formed, the Democrat-controlled House Administration Committee has the authority "to investigate the election, to determine a winner, or to call for a new election if it deems it necessary," per the Times.

Go deeper: There's a major election fraud case unfolding in North Carolina

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North Carolina elections board dissolves amid fraud investigation

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