Mecklenburg County What is the real story about the NC 08 Congressional race, with Larry Kissell(D) running against incumbent Robin Hayes(R)? There are different accounts, mostly creditable, mostly correct, and then at least one account that is grossly inaccurate. The NC 08th Congressional District consists of 10 counties, 9 which use optical scan systems to count large paper ballots, and 1 county, Mecklenburg, which uses the controversial touchscreen machines with a thermal "paper trail".