10:16 p.m. With more than 1.82 million votes counted, the margins all hold in the two-person races. Geer’s percentage has grown to 60 percent. Thigpen (20 percent) and McCullough (15) continue to lead in the instant runoff race, with third-place Dillon at less than 10.5 percent.
9:25 p.m. With more than 1.38 million ballots counted, the margins hold in all the two-person races. Thigpen (20 percent) and McCullough (16) still lead in the instant runoff race.
8:56 p.m. With more than 1.05 million ballots counted, Jackson continues to lead Hunter by a 52-48 margin. Calabria (54 percent), Elmore (55), and Geer (59) still lead in re-election bids. Thigpen (21 percent) and McCullough (16) lead in the instant runoff race. Third-place Dillon has 10.5 percent.
8:32 p.m. With more than 826,000 ballots counted, Jackson’s 52-48 margin holds steady. There’s no substantial change in the other races.
8:04 p.m. With more than 500,000 ballots counted, Jackson maintains the 52-48 advantage over Hunter. Calabria (55 percent), Elmore (56), and Geer (58) continue to lead. Thigpen (23 percent) and McCullough (17) are the top two in the Wynn seat race. Third-place Chris Dillon has 10 percent.
7:49 p.m. Early numbers show Judge Barbara Jackson leading Judge Bob Hunter 52-48 percent (just 226,000+ votes counted) for the open Supreme Court seat. Incumbents lead in the Appeals Court races: Calabria (55 percent), Elmore (59), and Geer (57).
Despite the 13-candidate scramble, two candidates already have substantial leads in the race for the Wynn seat. Appointed incumbent Cressie Thigpen (26 percent) and former Judge Doug McCullough (19 percent) are ahead of the pack.
6:50 p.m. Voters will fill one seat on the N.C. Supreme Court, and they’ll decide three of four contested seats on the N.C. Court of Appeals. The fourth is a 13-candidate battle for a single seat vacated when former N.C. Judge James Wynn joined the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this summer.