NC State Supreme Court Haults Certification of State Race

 

In the race for a seat on the state Supreme Court, Riggs leads Griffin by just 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast. Griffin is asking the court to throw out certain ballots, alleging irregularities. However, the North Carolina State Board of Elections, which oversees elections, has already reviewed these claims and rejected them, stating that the ballots were legally cast and would not affect the outcome.

Despite this, Griffin appealed to the state Supreme Court, which decided to pause the certification to review the case.

 

 

Griffin has focused his challenge on three types of ballots:

 

Missing Voter Registration Information: Griffin claims that over 60,000 ballots were cast by voters whose registration records lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, both required under state law. However, election officials often verify voter eligibility through other means when this information is missing, which is legal under federal law.

Overseas Voters: Griffin questions ballots cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the United States but are eligible to vote because their parents were North Carolina residents. Federal law permits these voters to participate in elections.

 

Military and Overseas Voters Without Photo ID: Griffin also claims that some military and overseas voters submitted ballots without the required photo ID. Federal law, however, provides exemptions for certain voters in these categories, allowing them to vote without ID in specific circumstances.

 

These are Griffin’s allegations, and they have not been substantiated by evidence or upheld in court.

 

What Has Already Been Decided?

 

The State Board of Elections, which investigated Griffin’s claims, determined that the ballots in question were valid under state and federal law. The board also concluded that throwing out these ballots would not change the outcome of the election. The Supreme Court’s decision to block certification does not mean Griffin’s claims are valid but indicates the court is reviewing the legal arguments.

 

 

The state Supreme Court has set a deadline of January 24, 2025, for both sides to present their arguments. Justice Allison Riggs, the Democratic candidate in the race, has recused herself from the case. Justice Anita Earls, the court’s only Democrat, dissented from the decision to halt certification, warning that it could undermine public trust in elections.

For now, the election results remain in limbo.

 

 

This election is significant because it could affect the ideological balance of the North Carolina Supreme Court, which currently has a 5-2 Republican majority. If Riggs wins, it would strengthen the Democratic presence on the court, potentially influencing future rulings on important issues like redistricting and abortion laws.

 

 

It’s important to understand that Griffin’s claims about the ballots are unproven at this stage. The State Board of Elections has already rejected these allegations after a thorough review, and the court’s decision to pause certification does not mean the claims are valid.

As the legal process continues, the focus will remain on whether these ballots were legally cast and if they could impact the election’s outcome. For now, North Carolinians must wait for the court’s decision to determine the next steps in this high-stakes race.

 

(The court holds a 5-2 Republican majority, meaning five of the justices are Republicans, and two are Democrats.
This conservative control came about after Republican victories in the 2022 midterm elections, where they gained two additional seats on the court, shifting the balance from a 4-3 Democratic majority to the current 5-2 Republican majority.
This conservative-leaning court has significant influence over rulings on key issues such as redistricting, voting rights, and other major policy matters affecting the state.)

 

WNCTimes