RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Democrats and Republicans traded barbs on Saturday after a voter lookup tool on the state Board of Elections website was down for several hours, affecting much of the state.

The “voter lookup” tool on the North Carolina State Board of Elections, also known as the voter search, allows potential voters to find information about their polling places, among other data.

On Saturday, early voting was still underway ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.

The North Carolina Democratic Party first raised the issue, with an “unofficial” claim that the tool was not functioning in 94 out of 100 counties.

“When Dave Boliek first took over the Board of Elections, he removed career election professionals to fill his leadership with inexperienced, partisan appointees. Now, on the last day of early voting before our municipal elections, the NCSBE Voter Search tool went down,” said part of a statement from NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton.

Clayton also said there were problems at polling places where “poll workers are having difficulty quickly identifying and registering voters.”

Saturday night, NCBOE officials said the tool was back up and working. Patrick Gannon, spokesman for the NCBOE, said he could not confirm that 94 counties were not functioning earlier, but told CBS 17 it was down for most of the state.

Gannon also stated that there was “no disruption” at any polling place.

“Anderson Clayton, Chair of the NC Democratic Party, is either ignorant or intentionally spreading misinformation,” part of an emailed statement from Gannon said.

Republicans said significant work has been underway to update software — and blamed Democrats for neglect.

“Since his first day as executive director, Executive Director Sam Hayes has been working diligently to update election software that was neglected by the previous director and the then-Democratic majority,” part of a statement from Gannon said.

Democrats appeared to focus on Dave Bolick, the North Carolina State Auditor.

“It’s clear that Republicans were wrong when they said that making Boliek the only State Auditor in the country that controls elections would not impact voting or the quality of our systems,” Clayton said in a statement.

Matt Mercer of the Republicans also issued a statement on the matter — bringing up former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.

“It’s insulting Democrats are trying to score cheap political points when Auditor Boliek has spent his tenure in office identifying their complete failure to manage the DMV in our state and just weeks ago found former Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration delayed $83 million in benefits to North Carolina families,” Mercer said in a statement to CBS 17.

The email from Gannon included some information about Tuesday’s voting.

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Election Day. For more information, see: 10 Tips for Election Day Voters: 2025 Municipal Elections Edition.

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse football team takes on the North Carolina Tar Heels at 7:30 p.m., Friday in the JMA Wireless Dome.

The game will air on ESPN.

See in-game team and individual stats here.

Note: Refresh this page throughout Syracuse’s game vs. North Carolina to see the latest updates

Pregame

Eight games into the season, Syracuse has had to reopen its quarterback competition. Coach Fran Brown has said he doesn’t go back and forth on quarterbacks. He said he chooses one and sticks to it.

But after losing his first four starts since starting quarterback Steve Angeli went down with a season-ending injury, backup Rickie Collins has forced Brown’s hand.

With multiple quarterbacks poised to take the field Friday night against Bill Belichick and North Carolina, it shows how unsettled Syracuse’s depth chart is.

With Angeli expected to return in 2026 and two incoming quarterback recruits intending to sign with Syracuse, the current quarterbacks have uncertain futures.

Beyond the quarterbacks, Syracuse could use a good showing against the Tar Heels to finally snap a long losing streak. Friday is the Orange’s last game before going on the road for back-to-back games against ranked opponents.

The Orange is also expected to host another large group of recruits.

In its first game as the favored team since Sept. 12, on national television, with a future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach coming to the dome, Friday presents a final chance to gain confidence in what has become a lost season.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Chancellor Kevin Howell was installed as the 15th leader of N.C. State University. It was a historic moment because the alumnus is the first African American and former student body president to become chancellor.

“We’re here to welcome Kevin Howell back where he belongs. Back to N. C. State University. Back to the Pack,” exclaimed UNC System President Peter Hans.

The installation ceremony was a homecoming celebration for Chancellor Kevin Howell, who is a Shelby, North Carolina native who graduated from N.C. State with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1988.

The day was significant to him because ten years ago, exactly on October 30, 2015, his kidneys failed. The 15th chancellor shares his vision for North Carolina’s flagship university.

“The next generation of leaders can go wherever they want to go and do whatever they want to do,” said Chancellor Howell. “Our vision for the future requires us to unapologetically pursue groundbreaking research. That’s who we are.”

Chancellor Howell sat proudly on stage next to his wife, Aleta. Hundreds were in the crowd, including his two daughters and friends from college.

“We pledged into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated together in the spring of 1985,” said Howell’s line brother Kevin Calhoun. “There were times we were struggling as students, either financially to find money or struggling in coursework. Kevin was always that one that said we can do it. He’s always very hopeful. He’s a visionary and he really does care about people.”

Jesse Lee Brown doesn’t know Howell personally, but they were students on campus together.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be coming back to see him being installed as chancellor,” said Brown.

Chancellor Howell’s installation ceremony brought out many notable N.C. State University alumni, including North Carolina Central University Chancellor Karrie Dixon.

“I’ve known Howell for many years. He has the greatest level of respect across North Carolina and across higher education,” she said.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App