We've been pretty disappointed that North Carolina remains the only uncalled state - so my husband has been following and researching the North Carolina results for the presidential race.
After speaking to the Board of Elections today (previous diary, update 13) and seeing the Board of Elections director's estimates (update 14), we are ready to announce the results of North Carolina.
North Carolina is.... TARHEEL BLUE.
Obama currently has 11690 lead on NC Board of Elections website, with a whopping 7 provisional votes included in the totals.
The BoE now has been quoted guessing that there are 40000 provisional ballots, of which, they are historically guessing 65% will be accepted. That means another 26000 votes being potentially added to the totals. McCain would have to take 18845 votes to overtake the existing Obama lead -- meaning he'd have to win over 72% of these provisional ballots. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. Historically these provisional ballots trend Democratic and are largely due to new voters like university students.
Counties will be trickling in provisional ballot totals between today and 11/14, so it may take a while until AP and major news organizations are confident enough to finally call North Carolina.
But you read it here first - so please add North Carolina's 15 electoral votes to Barack Obama's overwhelming total, and extend that big blue wave from Virgina down through its southern neighbor.
WOO!
Any add'l updates will likely be over on husband's diary.