WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – WECT News has learned that there are more uncounted absentee ballots by mail in New Hanover County than first thought.

I have received emails from the county manager explaining the details to the county commissioners.

While investigating why election results in New Hanover County were delayed Tuesday night, WECT obtained a county email that said the local board of elections stopped processing absentee ballots on Oct. 31 and did not include none received after that day in Tuesday’s election results.

County Manager Chris Coudriet told commissioners that about 1,500 ballots received after that deadline will be processed and counted before the Nov. 15 vote.

In an email to commissioners Wednesday night, Coudriet said: “Apparently, and I think (County Attorney) Jordan can confirm, the decision to suspend absentee ballots is in conflict with state statute. I understand that ballots received on at least Friday, Saturday and Monday should have been processed and counted. I have no idea what that means practically, but I know it looks bad, wrong, and a whole host of other descriptors.”

In another email to commissioners Friday morning, Coudriet says election staff now have the total of uncounted absentee ballots at about 1,750.

Coudriet also requested a meeting with the state board of elections to get answers to questions that could not be addressed locally.

On Friday afternoon, Coudriet emailed commissioners again saying: “I received a response from the state electoral council. The staff will gladly accept a call with us after November 26th. As such, we will not receive responses to questions from state board staff until after Thanksgiving. I am disappointed with this result given the situation we are in locally with countless questions about absentee voting.”

Electoral Officer Rae Hunter-Havens responded Friday afternoon explaining the processes used to report election night results.

“Due to the volume and verification procedures required, ballots received after October 31 were not included in the initial count. Counting absentee and provisional ballots after Election Day is standard procedure to ensure that all eligible votes are counted accurately.” Havens said.

WECT has now been told that the county manager and county attorney will meet with state board of elections officials on Dec. 2 to seek clarification on whether the decision to stop processing absentee ballots on Oct. 31 violated state statute.

The county electoral council will meet next Thursday, November 14, to count the remaining absentee ballots.

There are also over 1900 provisional ballots that need to be researched and if approved will also be added to the vote total.

The voting canvas for checking the results of the county elections is scheduled for November 15 at 11:00.

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