The results of North Carolina’s closely watched U.S. Senate race could be delayed Tuesday after technical problems disrupted voting in four counties, prompting the North Carolina State Board of Elections to consider extending polling hours beyond the scheduled 7:30 p.m. closing time.

The problems were reported in Wilson, Hertford, Gates and Lenoir counties after polling locations opened Tuesday morning. State election officials said the technical issues had been resolved, but the disruptions prompted a review of whether voters at affected locations should receive additional time to cast their ballots.

The State Board was expected to meet Tuesday afternoon to consider extending voting hours by as much as one hour at locations where voting was interrupted. Under North Carolina law, the board can extend voting only at sites where voting was disrupted for at least 15 minutes, and any extension must be limited to the duration of the interruption. Ballots cast after the regular 7:30 p.m. deadline at an extended location must be recorded as provisional ballots.

Any extension could delay the release of election results from affected counties because officials cannot report results from those locations until voting is completed. That could complicate the early reporting of the U.S. Senate contest between Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper, one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 midterm elections.

North Carolina has already experienced unusually high participation during the early voting period, with more than 2.8 million ballots cast before Election Day. The Senate race is expected to draw national attention as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of the chamber.

The State Board’s decision will determine whether additional voting time is granted at the affected locations. Election officials have emphasized that the technical problems were resolved, but the possibility of extended hours means voters and campaigns may have to wait longer for a complete picture of the results.