Berger Campaign Highlights Concerns Over Election Administration And Voter Intimidation
Yesterday, Senate Leader Phil Berger’s campaign released a statement that announced that several voters believe they received the wrong ballot in Guilford County and highlighted voter intimidation tactics by Sheriff Sam Page’s campaign. Some of those voters signed sworn declarations to that effect, and the campaign asked the County Board of Elections to investigate whether or not these voters did, in fact, receive the wrong ballot. Sheriff Page’s “post-election” adviser, who has ties to anti-Trump groups, claimed these complaints were unfounded.
“A voter in SD-26 reached out and said he was given a ballot that did not include the SD-26 primary and that he knew of one other voter who had told him about the same experience,” said Jonathan Felts, the Berger Recount Spokesman. “We then contacted other individuals who voted in that same community and have identified others who believe they were given the wrong ballot. Now, voters in SD-26 are receiving texts from the Page committee with veiled threats that a voter questioning if they received the correct ballot is tantamount to a felony offense. So, yes, the highest-ranking law enforcement official in one of the counties is threatening voters in an effort to stop them from coming forward. If anyone feels they received the wrong ballot, they should contact 336-347-8183.”
The Berger campaign raised concerns about the tactics utilized by the Page campaign. Josh, Howard, the former chairman of the N.C. Board of Elections, raised serious legal concerns about Page’s tactics.
Howard said, “When I was a federal prosecutor, I sent people to prison for buying votes and interfering with free and fair elections. As a former Chairman of the State Board of Elections and a county Elections Board member, I learned even the most well-meaning volunteer election official or professional staff member may make a mistake — such as giving the wrong ballot to a voter. These are just some of the reasons our state has a procedure to review ballots before it finalizes election results. We want voters free to express their concerns and raise potential failures — whether those issues change an immediate outcome or identify systemic problems we shouldn’t make again. The text message I’ve just seen sent by a Sheriff Page supporter does not foster immediate or long-term election integrity. No candidate, campaign, or political entity should ever tamp down any effort to ensure fair elections.”
The deadline to file an election complaint is today, and the announcement from the Berger team signals at least one clear issue.
Tim’s Take: These are relatively new maps for the 2026 primary and Guilford County is growing rapidly and there could have been a small error. Given the tight contest, it’s worth investigating simply to double-check the validity of the voter. The Page campaign’s dramatic reaction to these voters, raises real questions about what is Page afraid of becoming public?
