NORTH CAROLINA: Roy Cooper Claims Victory But Razor-Thin Margin May Hinge On Provisional Ballots

The Charlotte Observer reports:

The race for North Carolina governor appeared headed into overtime with Democrat Roy Cooper clinging to a paper-thin lead over Republican Gov. Pat McCrory early Wednesday morning. Cooper was leading by around 3,000 votes out of 4.7 million cast. The race could hinge on so-called provisional ballots expected to be counted by the time of a canvass later this month.

“We’re going to fight for every vote between now and Nov. 18,” McCrory told supporters in Raleigh. “We’re going to check everything and we’re going to make sure that every vote counts… We plan to be governor in a second term right here in North Carolina.”

Speaking before cheering supporters early Wednesday morning, Cooper said he was confident of victory. Cooper’s strong showing in the Triangle and Mecklenburg County helped him overcome heavy suburban and rural support for McCrory, who lost his home county by 134,000 votes.

My statement on tonight’s victory: pic.twitter.com/DrF9Vg7MXH

— Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) November 9, 2016