North Carolina Senate Candidates Spar Over Alleged Ballot Errors

Page and Berger trade accusations as possible recount looms in tight Republican primary race

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:20pm

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Republican North Carolina state Senate candidates Phil Berger and Sam Page are engaged in a heated dispute over allegations of ballot irregularities in their ultra-close primary race. Page's campaign has accused Berger's team of pressuring voters to claim they received the wrong ballot, while Berger's camp says a voter in the district reached out with concerns and they are simply investigating further. The state elections board has not received any formal complaints about incorrect ballots so far.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the high stakes and partisan tensions surrounding election integrity issues, especially in close races. The outcome could determine control of the state Senate, making both sides eager to uncover any potential issues that could swing the results.

The details

The race between Berger, the longtime state Senate leader, and Page, the Rockingham County sheriff, was decided by just 23 votes in the Republican primary. Berger's campaign says a voter in Guilford County reached out claiming they received the wrong ballot and were unable to vote in the Senate race. Berger's team says they have identified other potential issues and have asked the Guilford County Board of Elections to investigate. However, Page's campaign has accused Berger of pressuring voters to make false claims, warning that submitting a false affidavit is a felony. The state elections board says it has not received any formal complaints about incorrect ballots so far.

  • The Republican primary election was held in early March 2026.
  • Page led Berger by 23 votes after the initial vote count.

The players

Phil Berger

The longtime Republican leader of the North Carolina state Senate, who is now running in a tight primary race.

Sam Page

The Rockingham County sheriff, who narrowly led Berger in the initial vote count for the Republican primary.

North Carolina State Board of Elections

The state agency responsible for overseeing elections and investigating any potential irregularities.

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What they’re saying

“Phil Berger's campaign is asking voters to claim they received the wrong ballot in an effort to challenge his election defeat. If anyone from the Berger campaign is pressuring you to sign something that isn't true, please reply to this message.”

— Page campaign spokesperson

“The highest-ranking law enforcement official in one of the counties [in the race] is threatening voters in an effort to stop them from coming forward.”

— Jonathan Felts, Berger campaign spokesman

What’s next

The Guilford County Board of Elections is investigating the potential ballot issue raised by the Berger campaign. If any formal complaints are filed, the state elections board would then decide whether to take any action.

The takeaway

This dispute underscores the heightened partisan tensions and concerns over election integrity, even in down-ballot races. Both campaigns are closely scrutinizing the results and taking aggressive steps to try to influence the outcome, raising questions about how such close elections can be resolved fairly and transparently.