In the closest undecided Congressional race in the nation, Larry Kissell gained votes in the county canvasses today and less than one-half of one percent separates the two candidates. Mecklenburg County results are pending, but Kissell carried the county by a 2:1 margin. The difference is much smaller than the one percent required for a recount.

"The North Carolina Democratic Party is committed to making sure that every valid vote is counted in every race. With over 120,000 votes cast, the only way to determine who won is by a recount and possibly a human "hand-eye" recount. We've already heard of instances of voters marking an 'x' or check mark, which is a valid vote, but cannot be picked up by the new election machines," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. "We can be sure Robin Hayes will fight this just as he's fought every effort to count all the votes. If he'd been a better representative for the 8th District, he wouldn't be in this place and he wouldn't be trying throw out votes. We must preserve our democracy and ensure that every voter who went to the polls in the 8th District has a voice."