LAURINBURG — This year’s election has been one for the books, and there is still one race that is continuing to be on the forefront of everyone’s minds: the Harris vs. McCreedy race.

On Nov. 6, Republican Mark Harris defeated Democrat Dan McCready by a slim 905 votes. McCready had won Scotland County, but soon after cenceded the race to Harris. However, a Bladen County political operative employed as a contractor by the Harris campaign, McCrae Dowless, is accused of illegally gathering absentee ballots and tampering with the race to boost Harris.

The N.C. Board of Elections has refused to certify the results for the 9th District due to widespread irregularities and is investigating what it calls “potentially criminal absentee ballot activities.”

While the Scotland County Board of Elections hasn’t heard anything from the state if there will be any inquiries locally, the issue does affect Scotland County.

For Scotland Democratic Party Chairman Walter Jackson, the entire situation is concerning and would be no matter where it is taking place.

“It should all be fair and open and it needs to be looked into,” Jackson said. “I’m not saying who’s right or who’s wrong, but I hope we’re able to resolve this … It’s concerning for any district to have any irregularities anywhere in the United States.”

While he did say a new election would be a financial burden to the county, Jackson believes that there will likely be a new election to handle the situation — and says when things aren’t ethical or legal, there isn’t much of a choice in the situation.

Scotland County Republican Party Chairman Mark Schenck, however, feels differently, saying that the entire situation is coming from the loss.

“I think they need to see if what they’re fussing about is actually going to make a difference in the race.,” Schenck said. “If it won’t change the race, why are you arguing over it? That’s my issue with the Democratic Party — when they lose they protest instead of moving forward.”

Schenck believes that it’s not an issue of someone intentionally breaking the law, but instead due to ignorance.

”It’s hard to tell how it’s going to go, it’s really too early to tell how it will shake out,” Schenck said. “But no matter what happens, from what I’ve heard, there aren’t enough ballots in question to change the outcome of the race.”

The state board voted 7 to 2 on Nov. 30 to hold a public hearing about the claims of irregularities and fraudulent activities related to absentee by-mail ballots. The public hearing will be on Dec. 21.

Katelin Gandee

Staff report

Reach Katelin Gandee at 910-506-3171 or at [email protected]