Republican state Sen. Danny Britt held a 228-vote lead over his Democratic challenger after election officials counted provisional ballots on Tuesday.
Britt, whose district includes Robeson, Scotland, and Hoke counties, must secure his seat for the GOP to maintain a majority in the state Senate. Democrats took control of the state House in the election last week for the first time since 2010.
Britt, a five-term incumbent, led Catina Hamm by 268 votes on election night. His lead narrowed to 245 votes after the Hoke County Board of Elections counted provisional ballots.
In Scotland County, where voters picked Democrats up and down the ballot, Hamm gained 40 votes and Britt gained 14 from provisional ballots counted Tuesday, according to local elections director Dell Parker.
Britt picked up 155 votes Tuesday from provisional ballots in Robeson County, where he won 59% of the vote on Election Day. Hamm got 146.
Hamm could request a recount. Under state law, legislative and congressional races must be decided by 1 percentage point or less for a recount. Once a request is made, the State Board of Elections provides county election officials with a schedule and directions.
Hamm did not immediately return a phone call for this story on Tuesday afternoon.
Pat Ryan, a Britt spokesperson, said late last week that he was optimistic, arguing it was “statistically improbable” for Hamm to pick up enough provisional ballots to win. Voters cast provisional ballots for a variety of reasons, including if they do not show photo identification or if they vote in the wrong precinct.
Britt’s campaign had a legal defense fund, Ryan said.
A Britt victory would give Republicans a one-seat advantage in the state Senate. But if Hamm won, Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt would break ties, reducing the chamber’s ability to override vetoes from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.