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Legal Battle Over Razor-Thin North Carolina Election Stays in State Court—for Now

An appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a federal trial judge acted appropriately last month in declining to decide whether tens of thousands of ballots should be counted in North Carolina’s unresolved Supreme Court election, instead sending the matter back to state court. However, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals provided Associate Justice Allison Riggs with the opportunity to return to federal court if state court decisions result in her losing the race to challenger Jefferson Griffin due to ballot removals. This ruling leaves federal court intervention on hold for now while legal proceedings continue in state courts.

The disputed election between Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin remains highly contested, with over 5.5 million ballots cast. Following two recounts, Riggs currently leads Griffin by 734 votes. Griffin has challenged the inclusion of approximately 66,000 ballots, arguing that they should be excluded due to alleged registration and identification issues. The ballots in question were primarily cast by voters who lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number in their registration records. Additionally, Griffin has raised concerns about thousands of military and overseas ballots that were submitted without copies of photo identification and hundreds of votes from overseas individuals who have never resided in the U.S.

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In December, the North Carolina State Board of Elections dismissed Griffin’s protest, stating that state laws and the North Carolina Constitution did not justify removing the ballots. Riggs’ supporters argue that Griffin and the Republican Party are attempting to overturn election results by disenfranchising voters without clear proof of ineligibility. The legal battle has since moved through both state and federal courts.

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Griffin initially petitioned the state Supreme Court to exclude the contested ballots, but the elections board shifted the matter to federal court, citing federal election law concerns. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers abstained from ruling, citing unresolved state law questions, and returned the case to state court. The state Supreme Court then halted the election certification while considering next steps. Riggs recused herself from these deliberations.

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The state Supreme Court recently dismissed Griffin’s petition and ordered that his ballot protests be heard in a lower trial court. A hearing is scheduled for Friday in Wake County. Meanwhile, the federal appeals panel instructed Judge Myers to modify his order to retain jurisdiction over any potential federal legal issues if state court decisions result in ballot removals. Riggs remains on the court while the case proceeds.

Camilia Perez
Camilia Perezhttps://phsoutlook.com
Camilia Perez is a dynamic news anchor and journalist celebrated for her insightful reporting and dedication to delivering impactful stories. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a talent for connecting with audiences, she brings clarity and depth to her work. Camilia’s approachable yet authoritative style has made her a trusted and influential voice in journalism.

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