North Carolina Supreme Court Halts Certification in Tight Judicial Race

The North Carolina Supreme Court has temporarily halted the certification of Democrat Allison Riggs‘ re-election, following a 4-2 vote on Tuesday. The decision comes after her Republican opponent, Jefferson Griffin, alleged that nearly 60,000 votes were cast illegally. Riggs, who recused herself from the decision, leads by a slim margin of 734 votes.

The court’s order prevents the state elections board from certifying Riggs’ win, which was scheduled for the end of the week. The court will hear arguments in the case later this month. Griffin claims that many voter registrations lacked required identification details, such as driver’s license or Social Security numbers, though state law allows for both in-person and mail ballots without these specifics.

Griffin’s legal challenges, filed across the state, were previously rejected by the Democratic-majority state elections board in December. He then appealed directly to the state Supreme Court. The case has drawn national attention, as it could expand the GOP’s 5-2 majority on the court and set a precedent for election disputes.

The November election was closely contested, with Riggs initially trailing before absentee and provisional ballots pushed her ahead. Griffin requested multiple recounts, but Riggs’ lead grew slightly. Griffin’s latest effort seeks to invalidate tens of thousands of votes, a move critics argue undermines democratic principles.

North Carolina has a history of contentious election battles, including disputes over redistricting and voting rights. The state’s Supreme Court has recently reversed decisions on gerrymandering and voter ID laws, further polarizing the political landscape. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future elections and the court’s credibility.