Federal Judge's Order Resolves Contested North Carolina Supreme Court Election

Raleigh --  The legal dispute surrounding a North Carolina Supreme Court seat from the November 2024 election has concluded following a federal judge's ruling and the subsequent concession by the Republican challenger.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers ordered the North Carolina State Board of Elections to certify the election results, which showed Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs as the winner over Republican Jefferson Griffin. Griffin announced his concession on Wednesday.   

The contest for the Supreme Court seat remained unresolved for months after Election Day due to legal challenges filed by the Griffin campaign regarding thousands of absentee and overseas ballots. Following initial counts and recounts, Justice Riggs held a lead of 734 votes out of over 5.5 million ballots cast.   

Griffin's challenges centered on arguments that certain ballots, including some cast by military and overseas voters and others with alleged discrepancies in voter registration information, should not be counted. These challenges led to proceedings in both state and federal courts, with differing outcomes at various stages.   

In his order, Judge Myers determined that invalidating ballots cast by voters who adhered to the election rules in place at the time of the election would violate their rights under the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses. He stated that election rules should not be altered after voting has occurred.   

Judge Myers' ruling directed the State Board of Elections to certify the results based on the vote totals as of the completion of the initial canvassing period. This effectively upheld Justice Riggs' victory.   

Following Judge Myers' decision, which included a temporary stay to allow for a potential appeal, Jefferson Griffin issued a statement conceding the race. This action brings an end to the legal challenges and clears the way for the certification of Justice Riggs' eight-year term on the state's highest court.   

The resolution of this election marks the final certification of a statewide race from the 2024 election cycle that had remained undecided. Justice Riggs will continue to serve on the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court, where the partisan composition remains five Republicans and two Democrats.   

WNCTimes

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