North Carolina’s election-night wait just got longer.
Technical problems at several polling locations prompted state election officials to extend voting Tuesday, pushing the expected release of initial statewide election results to at least 8:15 p.m. Eastern. Most polls were still scheduled to close at 7:30 p.m.
The delay comes with a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat on the line. Republican Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman, faces former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in the race to replace retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.
The contest is a major test for Republicans trying to protect their Senate majority and Democrats looking to flip a seat in North Carolina.
The State Board of Elections approved the voting extensions during an emergency session Tuesday. The longest went to the South Williams precinct at the Tabor City Courthouse in Columbus County, which received an additional 45 minutes.
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A computer outage at that location forced election workers to use a backup system. The county elections director said no voters were turned away.
Other extensions were shorter. Lenoir County’s Holloway Recreation Center and Hertford County’s Murfree Center received an extra 30 minutes. Hertford’s Como Fire and Rescue received 25 minutes, while the Wilson City Recreation Building received 15 minutes.
Beyond the Senate showdown, Republican Laurie Buckhout is challenging Democratic Rep. Don Davis in the closely watched 1st Congressional District, another contest with implications for control of Congress.
Republicans also have an opportunity to strengthen their grip on North Carolina’s highest court. Republican Sarah Stevens is challenging Democratic Justice Anita Earls for the only state Supreme Court seat on the ballot.
A Stevens victory would expand the GOP’s majority from 5-2 to 6-1. An Earls win would preserve the current split.
All 14 of North Carolina’s U.S. House seats, all 50 state Senate seats, and all 120 state House seats are also on the ballot.
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