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Judge Won't Intervene In North Carolina E-Voting

A trial judge has turned away North Carolina's effort to avoid using the polling-place software of a company U.S. officials said was targeted by Russian hackers last year.

Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway denied Monday the request by the state elections board to stop the order of an administrative law judge. That judge has allowed nearly 30 counties to use the electronic poll book software of VR Systems.

Ridgeway wrote there's no state law enabling him to interject himself in the case when an administrative judge says he's still got more to rule on next spring.

Voters In Major North Carolina Cities Electing Mayors

Voters in North Carolina's major cities are turning out to select mayors, and for Charlotte, it will be the city's sixth mayor since 2009.

After incumbent Jennifer Roberts lost the Democratic primary, the largest city in the state will decide on Tuesday between Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles and City Councilman Kenny Smith. Lyles defeated Roberts in the primary, while Smith cruised to victory in the Republican primary.

Raleigh voters will pick between unaffiliated incumbent Nancy McFarlane and Democratic challenger Charles Francis. While McFarlane has been a favorite among liberals, the Wake County Democratic Party endorsed Francis, who has accused McFarlane of failing to address adequately affordable housing in the city of 430,000.

Mayoral incumbents also are seeking re-election in Asheville, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Wilmington.

Greensboro Sees Rise In Registered Voters

The number of people who are registered to vote in Greensboro has risen in recent months.

Over the past few months, nearly 1,400 new voters have registered in Greensboro, bringing the total number of people registered there to roughly 203,000.  

That amounts to a less than one percent bump in the numbers, but, given the low turnout during the October primary, it's not insignificant. Less than 10 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot last month, giving those who did an oversized voice, especially in local district races.

During the October 10th primary, for example, just over 2,300 people voted in the District 5 race. Even fewer votes were cast in the District 2 primary. That means even a few hundred new voters could tip the scales one way or the other.

Greensboro Women's College Honors Former President

The former president of a Greensboro women's college received an honor for her service Sunday. A new building on the campus of Bennett College now bears Johnnetta Cole's name.

Cole arrived on Bennett's campus in 2002. At the time, the school was on such shaky financial ground that its academic accreditation was at risk.

During her five year tenure, Cole spearheaded a $50 million capital campaign that eased the fiscal crisis. She also created new academic programs and established an art museum.

On Sunday, the school thanked Cole by renaming the honors-student residence hall for her during a Founder's Day celebration.

North Carolina Officials Search For Escaped Prison Inmate

The North Carolina Department of Corrections says it is looking for an escaped inmate.

A statement from the department on Monday said 66-year-old Larry J. Locklear was on a work assignment when he disappeared.

According to the department, Locklear was identified as a minimum custody inmate serving a sentence at Wake Correctional Center as a habitual felon. His projected release date was October 2021.

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