Harnett County: Aaron Meredith leads sheriff's race in unofficial returns
With all 15 precincts in, Republican Meredith led Democrat Reggie Watson 24,088 to 20,544. The Daily Record reported the same unofficial margin. Not certified.
By Alexandru Stanciu · Published
What we know
Confirmed
- Unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections for Harnett County sheriff, with all 15 of 15 precincts reporting, listed Republican Aaron Meredith with 24,088 votes (53.97%) and Democrat Reggie Watson with 20,544 votes (46.03%).Confirmed by North Carolina State Board of Elections unofficial Harnett County results file, accessed Nov. 4, 2026
- The Daily Record reported the same 24,088–20,544 unofficial totals with all 15 precincts in, a 3,544-vote margin, and wrote that Meredith defeated Watson in the sheriff's race.Confirmed by The Daily Record (Harnett), Nov. 3, 2026
Still unknown
- Final certified totals after provisional ballots and the county canvass
- Transition details beyond what county officials later announce
What this means for you
Instructions from North Carolina State Board of Elections
This site is not an elections office. Unofficial results are on the State Board's election-results site. Certified results come later from the county canvass. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
What happened
In Harnett County, Republican Aaron Meredith is leading Democrat Reggie Watson for sheriff in unofficial returns after the Nov. 3 election.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections' unofficial Harnett County file, with all 15 of 15 precincts reporting, listed Meredith with 24,088 votes (53.97%) and Watson with 20,544 (46.03%). Those figures are not certified.
The Daily Record reported the same totals, a 3,544-vote margin, and wrote that Meredith defeated Watson in the sheriff's race. Certification follows the county canvass.
This site is not an elections office. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Related coverage
Why it matters
The Harnett County sheriff's race decides the next elected head of the county's primary law-enforcement agency. Readers need the unofficial margin before certification.
Updates
Nov 4, 2026, 6:10 AM
First file from unofficial NCSBE Harnett sheriff tallies (15 of 15 precincts) plus The Daily Record.
Sources
- Harnett County unofficial results file (NCSBE enr/20261103/data/results_43.txt: HARNETT COUNTY SHERIFF; Aaron Meredith REP 24,088 / 53.97%; Reggie Watson DEM 20,544 / 46.03%; 15 of 15 precincts)
Official sourcePublished by North Carolina State Board of Elections · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM
- Meredith elected Harnett County sheriff (The Daily Record / Robert Jordan, Nov. 3, 2026: Meredith 24,088; Watson 20,544; all 15 precincts; 3,544-vote margin. Text-only.)
Published by The Daily Record · Checked Nov 4, 2026, 6:12 AM
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