House leader says Democrats won't seat candidate in unresolved North Carolina race

The dissolution of North Carolina's elections board Friday injected further uncertainty into a still-undecided congressional race as a U.S. House Democratic leader rejected the idea of filling the seat until an investigation of ballot fraud allegations is complete.

Gov. Roy Cooper was met with Republican resistance after announcing he would appoint an interim Board of Elections after a three-judge state court panel ruled Thursday that the current board should disband at noon Friday.

Gov. Cooper's move would fill the gap — and allow the board to proceed with a Jan. 11 evidentiary hearing about the 9th District congressional race — until a new law governing the statewide elections panel can take effect Jan. 31.

Amid the turmoil, incoming U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer issued a statement saying House Democrats won't allow Republican Mark Harris to be sworn in next week because of the ongoing investigation.

At: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/north-carolina-election-board-disbands-without-certifying-results-9th-congressional-n952741

Partners in crime: Mark Harris (right) and his professional ballot stuffer, McCrae Dowless.

The race which put Harris ahead by 905 votes (0.3%), has not been certified by the NC State Board of Elections.