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The N.C. Board of Elections map showing the results of Tuesday's primary runoff election looks like it's bleeding – but at least it can be said that turnout was not the worst ever.

No one was surprised by the low turnout nor was anyone especially enthused that the record was not set – elections chief Gary Bartlett said Wednesday it was “still a pretty sad display” – but there are a few finer points to the numbers that are of interest.

Everyone following elections knew turnout would be bad, but there are at least a few surprises and unsurprising points that deserve mention.

South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is squaring off against North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr in an intraparty fight that threatens federal legislation on water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

The legislation has languished for years was expected to be voted on in the full Senate this week under an across-the-aisle deal between the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. But a South Carolina senator has blocked the bill, saying he worries about fraud. Read more here.

More political headlines:

--Election night wrap: All eyes turn to November, where Republicans have a good chance of claiming Republican strongholds. Robert Pittenger wins a bitter race in the 8th District and Richard Hudson cruises to victory in the 9th District. 

Almost all voting precincts around the state have reported the results of Tuesday's primary runoff election.

The big winner is Dan Forest, who is leading Tony Gurley by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the race to become the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor this fall, but plenty of others lower on the ticket won out.

Click below to see the results of statewide elections with 87 of 100 counties reporting.

UPDATED: Republican Robert Pittenger was leading early Tuesday in the race to represent U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick in the Ninth Congressional District.

As of 8:25 p.m., Pittenger had received 4,532 votes, or nearly 52 percent, with early-voting and some precinct results in. Jim Pendergraph was behind with 4,216 votes, or about 48 percent. The results represent just a portion of ballots cast in Tuesday’s second primary. By 9:30 p.m. Pendergraph had conceded the race. Click here for more updates.

Republican Richard Hudson was leading early Tuesday in the GOP primary to reclaim control of the 8th Congressional District.

At 8:20 p.m., with early voting and some precinct results in, Hudson had won 2,485 votes, or about 66 percent of ballots cast. Keadle trailed with 1,258 votes or, nearly 34 percent. Click here for updated results.

The turnout for Tuesday’s primary runoff is on pace to be the lowest in history and will almost certainly not top 3 percent, said Gary Bartlett, the state’s elections chief. Bartlett had hoped for about a 5 percent turnout.

Just six counties – mostly those affected by Congressional races near Charlotte – are reporting better than a 3 percent turnout. Only 72 people had voted in Hyde County as of early afternoon, 148 in Clay and 67 in Columbus.

That many people “would show up in the first 20 minutes of a presidential election,” Bartlett said, adding that just one-third of votes are usually cast after 2 p.m. “What’s lacking is a top of the ticket like a gubernatorial or U.S. Senate race,” Bartlett said. “It’s really sad to see the turnout being what it is.”

Bartlett said the runoff election will cost about $6 million to 8 million.

A low-interest, mid-summer runoff election forced candidates for the state’s highest posts to scrounge for votes Tuesday like they were searching for loose change in the couch.

Tony Gurley, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, found a steady trickle of voters at Lead Mine Elementary School in Raleigh. He stood in the heat for an hour to shake hands with less than a dozen voters.

A county poll worker said it was the most active voting spot in Wake County with about 60 votes registered at 10 a.m. “That’s why I’m here,” said Gurley, sweating in a white dress shirt and red striped tie. Read more from the polls today.

Today’s election will determine candidates in five statewide races, as well as several congressional and legislative races. But not everyone will need to – or can – vote. Click here for what you need to know.

More political headlines:

--President Barack Obama’s campaign has come up with a plan to reward N.C. supporters with a seat in Bank of America Stadium on the night of his acceptance speech in September. Dubbed “9-3-1,” the plan calls for guaranteeing one credential to any Obama backer in this swing state who is willing to do campaign volunteer work for three shifts – totaling nine hours.

--With seven weeks left until the Democratic National Convention, the scramble began Tuesday to convert Time Warner Cable Arena into a showcase for the re-election of President Barack Obama. Convention organizers took the keys to the arena on Monday, clearing the way to start the $7 million transformation for September’s event. See a photo gallery here.

Ahead of Tuesday's primary runoff in the Republican lieutenant governor's race, it looks like Dan Forest is far outspending rival Tony Gurley. Neither candidate had much in the tank for the final days of the campaign.

Forest's campaign reported spending about $516,000 through June 30 and raised about $519,000, leaving about $2,600 on hand. 

Gurley's campaign spent about $332,000 and received about $337,000 with about $5,000 left in the bank, campaign finance reports show.

Democracy NC's Adam Sotak and FairVote's Rob Richie make the case for instant runoff voting: "North Carolina’s primary election on May 8 saw a high turnout, with nearly three times as many voters showing up as in 2010’s primary.

Unfortunately, the primary runoff elections on Tuesday will likely drop to single digit turnout – yet cost N.C. taxpayers well over $4 million. Most of the winners of the 15 runoffs for statewide, congressional and legislative primaries likely will receive fewer votes than their races’ losers received in May." Read the full piece here.