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The Party Line is dedicated to examining regional issues and policies through the figures who give shape to them. These are critical, complex, and even downright confusing times we live in. There’s a lot to navigate nationally and in the Carolinas; whether it’s elections, debates on gay marriage, public school closings, or tax incentives for economic development. The Party Line’s goal is to offer a provocative, intelligent look at the issues and players behind the action; a view that ultimately offers the necessary insight for Carolina voters to hold public servants more accountable.

State Election Officials Refer Durham Ballot Case To Prosecutors

WFAE | By Tom Bullock

Published October 13, 2016 at 11:53 AM EDT

Believe it or not the 2016 election is nearing its end. Election day is just weeks away. And with you political junkies in mind we'll be posting more regularly to our Party Line blog until November 8 finally arrives.

And we'll be compiling stories from more sources in order for this to be your one stop political news shop.

Today, this story from WRAL caught our eyes. It has to do with 1,900 provisional ballots cast in Durham County during North Carolina's primary. Those provisional ballots (or some of them at least) went missing. Other ballots that should not have be counted were included in the initial count.

Josh Lawson, the General Council for the North Carolina State Board of Elections tells WRAL "We believe there were irregularities that materially affected the March primary." Though Lawson added they did not change the outcome of any particular race.

Still, the NCSBE has now referred the case to prosecutors. And, as Lawson pointed out, that's only done when election officials believe something illegal may have been done. Or as Lawson told WRAL, "We don't refer things where we believe there is a dead end."