Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin is appealing his loss to Democratic Justice Allison Riggs in the North Carolina Supreme Court election. Riggs won by 734 votes, but Griffin has yet to concede. Griffin appealed to the State Board of Elections in December, claiming that voter registration rules were violated. The board dismissed his protest, leading Griffin to appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court. The court blocked certification of Riggs’ win, leading to a back-and-forth between state and federal courts.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to send the case back to state court, and a hearing is scheduled for February 7th. The case has raised concerns over attempts to overturn a free and fair election, with both Democratic and Republican judges involved in the decision-making process. The state Supreme Court recently dismissed a request for a ruling by Griffin, sending the case back to Wake County court.
The case has led to delays in certifying the election results, with Riggs’ victory being the last uncertified race in the country. The back-and-forth legal battle highlights the potential for post-election litigation to rewrite election rules and impact voter rights. The case is ongoing, with the outcome uncertain as it moves through the appeals process.