This story will be updated throughout the day and night with the latest news and information regarding Election Day in North Carolina. Polls opened at 6:30 a.m. across the state and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. Voters in line at 7:30 p.m. will still be able to vote. All times listed are EST.
6:37 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Durham County Board of Elections officials are officially asking for an extra 90 minutes at eight specific polling places that experienced problems earlier in the day on Election Day.
The North Carolina Board of Elections is holding a conference call with Durham officials to discuss the request.
Meanwhile, a hearing in Raleigh is underway involving Democracy North Carolina, who is seeking a court order to keep all Durham County polling sites open until 9 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Democracy North Carolina is seeking a court order to keep all Durham County polling sites open until 9 p.m., the group’s executive director, Bob Hall, confirmed.
CLICK HERE to read the complaint filed by Democracy North Carolina. (PDF document)
Meanwhile, around 6 p.m. the Hillary Clinton campaign issued a statement supporting the extension of voting hours in Durham County.
“The Durham County Board of Elections — made up of two Republicans and one Democrat — has agreed that voting hours must be extended due to technical problems that occurred earlier today. We are urging the North Carolina Board of Elections to heed this bipartisan call and approve this urgent measure so that every voter can have their voice heard. Especially in light of the fact that Durham County had limited early voting sites, we have to ensure that voters have equal access to the ballot box,” said Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook in an email.
4:40 p.m. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Republican Party released a statement about Durham’s efforts to extend voting hours. The statement is below:
4:30 p.m. (WNCN) — The race for governor has been close for months, according to polling data. Much of the race’s rhetoric has centered on House Bill 2.
At Pullen Park in Raleigh a pair of North Carolina State University students were both voting for Trump, but had picked different candidates for governor. One said that he voted for Roy Cooper for governor because of HB2, while the other said that questions about HB2 will be resolved in the courts, and that Gov. Pat McCrory has other positions he supports.
“That’s going to get fixed by a higher-up power or something like that,” said Collin Labar. “So, I just voted with McCrory because I know for other things what he’s done I’ve agreed with.”
“I think it’s taken a lot of business away from North Carolina,” said Nicholas Hattenhauer. “I think it’s kind of screwy. We look like a backwards state. And, I don’t think we are. North Carolina is a great place.”
4 p.m. (WNCN) – The State Board of Elections said it has been in constant communication with Durham elections officials Tuesday. A five-member State Board will meet later Tuesday to determine if extended hours are needed in Durham or elsewhere across the state.
3:35 p.m. (WNCN) – At 1:30 p.m. the Durham County Board of Elections asked the State Board of Elections to extend voting hours at the Bethesda Ruritan Club. The Durham Board is canvassing to see if other sites need extended hours.
The Durham Board will meet again Tuesday afternoon to see if another request is needed.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield issued a statement asking the State Board to extend voting times in Durham.
His statement said in part:
To ensure that the most fundamental rights of voters in Durham County are upheld and that all have a fair chance to participate in this election, the Durham County Board of Elections, the majority of which is Republican, has called for an extension of voting time by 90 minutes
this evening.
3:30 p.m.
KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) – Two voting machines in Lenoir County have been tampered with, Kinston Police said. Click here for full story
3:15 p.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — After technical issues were reported in Durham County Tuesday morning, the county board of elections has asked the North Carolina Board of Elections to keep all Durham County polls open for an extra hour because of the voting issues.
The N.C. State Board of Elections said that they need proof from Durham County that all polls were affected in order to keep all polls open for the additional time.
Earlier on Election Day, Durham’s precinct 31 ran out of “Intent to Vote” forms.
Also, earlier in the day, a glitch caused problems at six voting sites when the electronic poll book used in the check-in process for voters did not work and a paper book was used instead. The paper method worked, but slowed down the process.
The five member N.C. State Board of Elections is expected to meet later Tuesday to consider any requests to extend hours, state officials said.
1:51 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Many voters that CBS North Carolina has spoken with in Wake County have said they couldn’t miss the opportunity to vote today.
“It’s just important for me to vote. Everybody needs to. If you don’t vote you can’t complain,” said voter Allen Coleman.
Coleman is one of millions of voters who are spending their day doing the same thing.
“This is the first presidential election that I could vote in, and I really wanted to stop the stigma of apathetic young voter, so I wanted to get out and let my voice be heard,” said another Wake County voter, Robert Sculthorpe.
Many were anxious to fill out their presidential ballot. Despite who wins, they have hopes of what they can do for the country.
“Just that they’ll do more for the middle American people. That’s about it. I am not a rich man. I am not a poor man, but I feel that in America today people forget about the middle class,” Sculthorpe said.
While there have been long lines, the process has been smooth at polling places like Method Community Center in Raleigh.
“Ten minutes tops, that was all, that was all the wait I had, and it didn’t take very long to fill out the ballot,” Coleman said.
It was a different story just off Bedford Town Drive in Wake County. Voters there said they had to wait about an hour. For many, they said waiting to see who will become the next Commander-in-Chief is worth it.
“They were here yesterday and being a swing state, it’s really important to vote,” said voter Linda Gibson.
Dogs from Pawfect Match rescue visited with voters across the state. They teamed up with Next Generation in hopes of bringing out millennials to vote.
“We’ve found that nothing makes people happier than puppies. When there are puppies, people just come up, they want to talk to you and they want to get out and do whatever it takes to be near a puppy. We just want to connect the fun of puppies and the fun of voting and make it just a great experience for young people,” said Lauren Reed with Next Generation.
The Wake County SPCA also brought dogs to relieve stress to those waiting in long lines.
1:09 p.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Durham’s precinct 31 “Intent to Vote” forms have been restocked, the Durham Board of Elections confirmed.
Normally the forms would be printed out. Since computers were down, they had been handing out physical forms. They then ran out of the physical forms.
The precinct was back to normal just before 1 p.m.
Precinct 31 is located at 1714 S. Miami Blvd.
11:46 a.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Durham’s precinct 31 has run out of “Intent to Vote” forms, the Durham Board of Elections confirmed.
Normally the forms would be printed out. Since computers were down, they had been handing out physical forms. They then ran out of the physical forms.
Precinct 31 is located at 1714 S. Miami Blvd.
11:36 a.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina State Board of Election officials said that they found a glitch that has caused minor issues at six Durham precincts within the first hour of voting this morning.
The glitch only impacts the electronic poll book used in the check-in process for voters and doesn’t have anything to do with ballots or the process of voting.
Twenty-three other counties use a similar electronic poll book and all have back up paper poll books they can resort to, which those six Durham precincts have.
No other problems with electronic poll books have been reported in North Carolina, officials said.
11:26 a.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina State Board of Elections officials said they are getting complaints from polling locations across the state but they cannot say exactly how many they’ve had so far.
A news briefing at the NCSBE office in Raleigh wrapped up around 10:30 a.m. Officials said some of the complaints they received are not valid, but they do have teams that will investigate incidents if necessary.
A news briefing underway at the State Board of Elections Office. Officials ask folks to be patient, pay attention to ballots, report issues. pic.twitter.com/MGgEg8oTKz
— Carleigh Griffeth (@CarGriffeth) November 8, 2016
Patrick Gannon with the NCSBE said they are aware of national reports of attempts at voter suppression, but have not had any incidents in North Carolina so far.
He urged everyone to be on the lookout for anything out of place.
“Immediately, and I want to stress immediately, report any irregularities or other problems to elections officials at your polling place if you encounter them,” Gannon said.
The NCSBE also released the near-final numbers for absentee ballots. A record turnout of more than 3.1 million residents cast their ballots during the 17-day early voting period. The state includes all kinds of early voting, including in-person early voting, in their absentee ballots statistics.
9:41 a.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Six precincts have been impacted by a minor technical glitch in Durham. The glitch does not impact ballots or voting.
.@DurhamCounty BOE talks about effects on voters. Says she now believes 6 precincts impacted directly @WNCN #NCvote@ pic.twitter.com/g9rCCEKt2h
— Beairshelle Edmé (@BeairshelleWNCN) November 8, 2016
8:58 a.m.
CLAYTON, N.C. (WNCN) — CBS North Carolina’s Justin Quesinberry spoke with voters in Johnston County about their views on the 2016 election.
Clayton resident Ken Murphy called the campaign “divisive.”
“It’s been a lot more divisive than ever before…[it] just keeps you involved more, paying more attention,” he said.
Katherine Dull is a first-time voter and N.C. State student. She explained why she voted today.
“I feel like my vote means more. I mean, it was my first time voting and I feel like having the whole process happening and getting up early and going before class and stuff, like, I feel like it means more,” she said. “Looking at the past elections, I’ve always been like a political person. I’ve always cared. But this election means more because it’s my future on the line. So, being able to decide that means a lot.”
Another Clayton resident, Kathy Scott, said she feels voting is her duty as an American.
“I came out today in part to make sure that I did my public duty to vote, but also to teach my daughter about the system and why I’m so proud to be an American,” she said. “I’m a traditionalist. I like traditions and it’s important to me to know that I just did it on the day that we have traditionally done it.”
Clayton voter Chris Barr explained why he decided to vote on Election Day instead of during the early voting period.
“I’ve always just enjoyed voting on the day that you’re supposed to go out and vote. It just never occurred to me to go early,” he said.
8:38 a.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Durham County has reported that they’re having technical issues at a few locations and have been advised by the North Carolina State Board of Elections to switch to paper poll books. This will impact the check-in system, but not the ballots or actual voting. Not all precincts are reporting this issue. The NCSBE said wait times will be impacted slightly and they’re working to fix the issue as soon as possible.
#Voters! We're switching to poll books due to tech issue we're trying to fix. All will still get to #vote. Wait times may be a little longer
— Durham County, NC (@DurhamCounty) November 8, 2016
8:25 a.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — CBS North Carolina’s Beairshelle Edmé spoke with one voter waiting to vote in Durham about what she thought about the Clinton and Trump campaigns and the importance of getting young folks in Durham off the streets and into the classroom.
7:01 a.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Nowhere is the election-year schism more apparent than in North Carolina.
Its voters are making choices that will shape the state’s identity.
Related: Full coverage of Campaign 2016
Will they re-elect Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who has supported the General Assembly’s conservative agenda? Or will they go with toward Democratic candidates for governor and U.S. Senate who have denounced a new state law limiting protections for LGBT people?
Donna Guthrie, a 64-year-old nurse from Raleigh and registered Democrat, said she hopes lawmakers will repeal the law known as HB2 and believes opposition to the law will boost turnout in her party.
In tiny Mount Pleasant, retired nurse Janice Guffey planned to vote a straight Republican ticket on Tuesday. She supports McCrory and the legislative leaders who enacted HB2.
6:22 a.m.
CLAYTON, N.C. (WNCN) – More than three million people took advantage of early voting in North Carolina – for those who didn’t, polls are open today from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. across the state.
Because of Election Day, the Wake County Public School System is operating on a two-hour delay. Two schools in Johnston County are closed.
At some spots around the state, amid the voters will also be staff from the U.S. Justice Department.
About 500 staffers will serve as monitors around the country, which is fewer than the roughly 780 monitors and observers dispatched in 2012.
North Carolina is one of five states to have federal monitors. They’ll be sent to five counties in our state.
Sign at this Johnston County precinct reminds voters they don't have to have photo ID to cast ballot. #ncvotes @WNCN pic.twitter.com/qURHhIM9pq
— Justin Quesinberry (@JustinQberry) November 8, 2016
Monitors are being sent to states that have changed voting rights laws since the last election and states seen as more likely to experience problems.
Local poll workers will be voters’ go-to resource to answer questions and report any threats or intimidation.
“It is against the law to threaten a voter…we want to know about it immediately,” said Nicole Shumaker with the Wake County Board of Elections.
One easy way to avoid problems at the polls – don’t take selfies in your voting booth. The state prohibits voters from photographing a completed ballot.
6:10 a.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The presidential race isn’t the only race being watched closely in North Carolina and across the country – the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Deborah Ross and Republican incumbent Sen. Richard Burr is one of the tightest races in the country.
Democrats need to gain six seats in the U.S. Senate in order to regain control.
Ross will be joined by other Democrats, including Attorney General Roy Cooper, at Raleigh’s Marriott City Center hotel where they will gather to watch election results come in with members of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Ross and Sen. Burr only faced off in one debate, which was held weeks ago. Democrats are hoping that one debate, plus campaign events, will be enough for Ross to unseat Burr.
Sen. Burr has hit Ross hard in television ads and at the debate. He has accused Ross of opposing the creation of the state’s sex offender registry while she worked for the ACLU. Ross accused Burr of profiting from special interests in Washington.
Both denied each others claims.
The governor’s race here between the state’s Attorney General Roy Cooper and Republican incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory is one of the most expensive in the country.
Not only has the race been expensive, it’s also close, according to polls. Many polls have shown the race to be within five percentage points.
Cooper and McCrory have gone after each hard in campaign ads and at multiple debates.
One of the biggest divides between the two is House Bill 2. They also disagree on the economy, teacher pay, abortion legislation and more.
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday here in North Carolina.
5:57 a.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — At the final rally of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, A-list celebrities and thousands of her supporters packed into Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.
Clinton urged people to turn out to vote today and made the closing argument of her campaign, saying that North Carolina is key to winning the election.
With just hours to go before polls opened in North Carolina, Hillary Clinton brought out some big names in entertainment who urged the crowd to get to the polls.
“I could never have imaged that I would experience in my lifetime that a woman would become President of the United States,” said singer Lady Gaga.
Along with Lady Gaga, DJ Samantha Ronson got the crowd moving.
Jon Bon Jovi flew with the Clintons to Raleigh after a massive rally in Philadelphia.
“It’s very simple: North Carolina, you know that the road to the White House leads through your state. Be the difference you want to see,” Bon Jovi said.
As people waited to get in, state Republicans were outside with energy bars and coffee, saying Clinton isn’t energizing voters the way Barack Obama did.
“Republicans are surpassing the 2012 numbers in early voting. Democrats are not. Democrats are down,” said the NCGOP’s Deputy Communications Director Emily Weeks.
With former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea beside her, Clinton told the crowd that the choice could not be clearer.
“We don’t have to accept a dark and divisive vision for America. Tomorrow, you can vote for a hopeful, inclusive, big-hearted America,” Hillary Clinton said.
Democrats have said that Clinton can lock up the race by winning this state.
For her supporters, this rally was potentially a chance to witness history.
“It’s not every day you get to grow up and tell your grandkids, ‘I was there the night before.’ I get to see her speak the night before the election,” said Clinton supporter Emily Callicut.
“I think we have to remember America’s already great. And so I think she has a very optimistic point of view. She knows America’s great,” said another supporter, Aminah Thompson, of Durham.
Clinton will be spending election night in New York City. That’s where she will find out whether her last-minute push here in North Carolina was enough to win her the Tar Heel state.
Clinton also stopped in Raleigh Thursday for a campaign rally with Bernie Sanders and musician Pharrell.
5:30 a.m.
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – Today is the day many have been waiting for – Election Day.
The polls are set to open at 6:30 a.m. here in North Carolina.
People in Durham will not only have the chance to have their say on who runs the White House, they’ll also get to vote on how their public facilities run.
Early voting turnout in Durham County is up since 2012. Nearly 120,000 people voted early during the 17-day early voting period, officials have said. That’s 17,000 more than those who voted early four years ago.
Those numbers match the overall trend seen in North Carolina where people have made the decision to head to the polls early and face lines that sometimes were as long as three hours long.
In Durham, at stake is whether or not to take nearly $170 million of taxpayer money to use it at places like Durham’s Main Library, as well as schools and museums.
Local voters in the Bull City will see four referendum questions, all of which go towards maintaining and upgrading many public facilities.
If passed, schools will get the most money at nearly $91 million.
Recently, CBS North Carolina’s Derrick Lewis visited one of the schools that would see half of that school bond from the passage of this referendum.
The Northern High School building in many ways was quite literally being held together, whether it was the tape in an HVAC unit or handy work at other parts of the school.
Officials who back this measure say it’s necessary to get Durham schools back in line with the technology and tools necessary for students to thrive in facilities that aren’t falling apart.
This referendum would also bring bonds for community college expansion and improvement, making the library facilities bigger, specifically the Main Library. Finally, there’s also a $14 million bond for the Museum of Life and Science.