NORTH CAROLINA -- In a video message released on Friday afternoon, District 9 candidate Mark Harris responded to the investigation into election fraud taking place following the November election. 

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In the video, he told voters that his campaign is fully cooperating with the State Board of Elections and that he was unaware of any wrongdoing. 

He said he's hopeful the investigation will result in certification of him as winner so that he can take office before the next House session begins. 

Harris also added that he would fully support a new election if irregularites are found to an extent that would change the results of the election for either side. 

Watch his video here:

This response comes as the State Board of Elections is releasing additional information about their investigation.

In a statement on Friday, the board confirmed that Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. is a person of interest in connection with the alleged absentee ballot operation. Additionally, the State Board of Elections has issued subpoenas for documents to Red Dome Group, Mark Harris for Congress Committee, and the James McVicker Committee. The board says an evidentiary hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible.

 

 

Election officials are investigating whether Republican political operatives harvested ballots in parts of the 9th Congressional District with high numbers of Democratic voters and then did not turn them in to the local elections office. Ballot harvesting is illegal under state law, which allows only a family member or legal guardian to drop off absentee ballots for a voter.

The investigation is focusing on areas in the district where an unusually high number of absentee ballots were not returned.

Republican Mark Harris leads Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes, but the state elections board has refused to certify the results. The head of the state Republican Party said Thursday that he would be open to holding a new election if there is evidence of fraud.

 

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