North Carolina Supreme Court Election Faces Legal Battle Over 65,000 Ballots

This case centers on the legal challenges to more than 65,000 ballots in the North Carolina state Supreme Court election, filed by Judge Jefferson Griffin. Griffin sought to discard ballots from military and overseas voters who did not submit photo IDs with their mailed ballots, as well as early and absentee voters whose registration forms were alleged to be incomplete.

The challenge also targeted a group Griffin called “Never Residents,” consisting of children of North Carolina citizens living abroad.

The Wake County Superior Court, under Judge William Pittman, ruled against Griffin’s challenge, upholding the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ rejection of these claims. The ruling emphasized that the Board’s decision was made lawfully and in accordance with state law. Pittman found no violation of constitutional provisions and concluded that the Board acted within its jurisdiction.

Griffin’s attorneys argued that certain voters had not followed legal requirements, while opponents, including Justice Allison Riggs, condemned the challenge as an attempt at retroactive disenfranchisement, asserting that it violated state law and democratic principles.

Riggs, who faces Griffin in the election, expressed commitment to ensuring voters’ rights were protected and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law.

The legal battle could continue, with appeals expected, possibly bringing the case to the North Carolina Supreme Court, followed by potential federal civil rights issues being addressed in federal courts.

This high-stakes case has drawn attention from national voting rights organizations and could have implications beyond North Carolina.