2/18/19
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina elections regulator said Monday that “a coordinated, unlawful and substantially resourced absentee ballot scheme” potentially involving more than 1,000 absentee ballots or request forms took place last year in the state’s Ninth Congressional District. The regulator, Kim Strach, the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, gave the first account of investigators’ conclusions at a hearing in Raleigh that could determine the fate of the Ninth District race after allegations of widespread fraud. The Republican nominee, Mark Harris, has a 905-vote lead over his Democratic rival, Dan McCready, but state officials last year refused to certify Mr. Harris as the winner because of concerns about “irregularities” in absentee balloting. The hearing’s outcome could undermine Republicans’ assertions that they take a hard line against election fraud. The state board could certify the results or order a new election in the Ninth District, which includes part of Charlotte and a vast stretch of southeastern North Carolina.
Ms. Strach said the irregularities were connected to L. McCrae Dowless Jr., a longtime political operative in Bladen County who worked as a contractor for Mr. Harris’s campaign, and a network of associates. She did not blame the candidate himself nor say that he had direct knowledge of any misconduct. A slide presentation during Monday’s hearing included two bullet points: “Dowless instructed workers to falsely sign as witnesses” and “Blank or incomplete ballots were voted in Dowless’ home or office.” Mr. Dowless or his employees were linked to at least 788 requests for absentee ballots in Bladen County, and at least 231 such requests in adjacent Robeson County. Mr. Harris, who watched Monday’s hearings with crossed arms, has acknowledged directing the hiring of Mr. Dowless but has denied wrongdoing.
