State: Provisional ballots may expand Obama's lead in N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's election chief says he wouldn't be surprised to see Barack Obama's slim lead in the state increase as counties count thousands of provisional ballots.

State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett estimated Wednesday there are about 40,000 provisional ballots, cast by voters whose eligibility to vote must be confirmed.

He said history suggests that about 65 percent of those ballots will be eligible and that they are likely to break toward the winner in numbers similar to conventional ballots counted on Election Day.

Unofficial election results show Obama with 12,106 votes more than Republican rival John McCain. Obama has already won the race to the White House, even without North Carolina's final results.

Statewide officials said voter turnout was estimated at 69 percent or about 4.3 million people. Analysts said the state had one of the largest increases in voter turnout in the entire country.

Nationally voter turnout hit 63 percent or about 133 million people.

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@scubagirl: Provisional ballots are cast when a voter's eligibility is uncertain. If, after checking, the voter is deemed eligible, then the ballot is counted.

Sir Freezy McQuackers
November 5, 2008 4:39 p.m.

will they really make a difference? If these ballots are from voters not eligible to vote-how did they get to and what will be done?

Scubagirl does not like thieves
November 5, 2008 3:53 p.m.

sorry, but McCain is too old and out of touch with 21st century America...

chargernut69
November 5, 2008 3:30 p.m.

"McCain could have won it if he had some sort of ground game."

What would that have consisted of? Disgruntled people throwing dirt and calling names like angry drunks in a neighborhood? McCain lost this on his own. I had someone tell me today they think McCain may have stood a better chance if his personal demeanor throughout the campaign was more like it was during his concession speech.

WRALblows
November 5, 2008 3:28 p.m.

Nc should be called for Obama momentarily.