Polls in North Carolina closed as the big count began

RALEIGH, NC (WITN) – All 2,650 polling locations in North Carolina are now closed.

Those still in line were allowed to vote before the precinct proper closed.

Two districts that had trouble opening this morning were allowed to stay open until 8 p.m

The State Board of Elections extended voting at a Wilson County precinct that opened more than 90 minutes late.

Election officials say poll workers were unable to get printers working at the Gardners School precinct outside Elm City until after 8 a.m. Polls were scheduled to open at 6:30 a.m

An estimated 10 voters were turned away and some of them returned. The state board voted unanimously to extend the vote there until 8 p.m

The board also voted to extend voting in Burke County's Pilot Mountain precinct until 8 p.m. after an issue delayed that precinct's opening this morning.

Karen Brinson Bell, general manager of elections, said as of 4 p.m. that voter turnout was stable and there had been no problems at polling stations. She said they are on track to meet or exceed 2020's record participation of 75%.

11:00 am update

The North Carolina Board of Elections says Election Day is going smoothly so far.

Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the Board of Elections, held a news conference Tuesday as voters across the state headed to their polling places. “At this time, we are not aware of any disruptions or delays at polling stations that may require voting hours to be extended beyond 7:30 p.m. This is simply remarkable considering there are more than 2,600 polling locations open across the country this morning,” said Brinson Bell. “We will continue to monitor polling stations statewide and, if necessary, convene a meeting of the state executive committee to consider any voting extensions.”

The executive director says that at this time they have not heard any reports of any major incidents at any polling station.

Brison Bell says her last upload of North Carolina election results in 2020 was at 12:28 a.m. She says that is her goal this year.

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