North Carolina Supreme Court Blocks Certification In Disputed Judicial Election

The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a stay on the certification of Democrat Allison Riggs as the winner of a contentious judicial race. Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin requested the halt, citing serious concerns about thousands of ballots.

The race has been one of the tightest in the state’s history, with Riggs edging out Griffin by just 734 votes after a recount. Griffin initially held the lead, but late-counted ballots shifted the outcome in Riggs’ favor. Republicans are now questioning the validity of 60,000 ballots included in the final tally.

Griffin emphasized the importance of ensuring election fairness. “This is not about politics but about protecting our democratic process,” he stated. The GOP has joined his efforts, filing challenges against the disputed ballots and alleging irregularities in how the election was conducted.

The State Board of Elections has come under fire from Republican leaders, including RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, who accused the board of mismanaging the process. Whatley pointed to inconsistencies and a lack of transparency, vowing to challenge the results through every available legal avenue.

Legal disputes have played out in both state and federal courts. A federal judge returned the case to North Carolina, but the elections board appealed to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. That court has not yet issued a decision, leaving the race in limbo.

Riggs, who recused herself from the case, saw her Republican colleagues on the court grant Griffin’s request. Justice Anita Earls dissented, arguing that the intervention disrupts the normal electoral process. The case highlights growing tension over election practices in a state where Republicans secured a presidential victory but faced narrow losses in other key races.

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