(CNN) A North Carolina judge on Tuesday denied a request from Republican Mark Harris' campaign to certify the results in the disputed North Carolina 9th District race.

After the election in November, Harris led Democratic candidate Dan McCready by 905 votes. The state board of elections has refused to certify the results as it investigates allegations that an operative working for a firm hired by Harris illegally collected absentee ballots.

The investigation and ensuing legal battle have left the results of last year's House race uncertain, with no official winner from the November election. The judge's decision on Tuesday will keep the situation unresolved while the matter continues to be reviewed.

Attorneys for Harris asked the court to order executive director Kim Strach of the now-dissolved North Carolina Board of Elections to certify the election results while the investigation continues. Harris and state Republicans have argued that there is no evidence of enough disputed ballots to change the outcome of the election.

Judge Paul Ridgeway said during his ruling Tuesday that certification was not appropriate because the elections board has no obligation to certify an election before resolving a legal protest.

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