On Tuesday, the North Carolina Supreme Court voted 5-1 to block the state from certifying Democratic incumbent justice Allison Riggs as the winner of the race, as her GOP opponent, Jefferson Griffin, challenges the election results.
North Carolina’s Supreme Court race is heading for a recount after a close final tally, with the Democrat pulling ahead two weeks after Election Day.
Democratic incumbent Sarah Riggs closed the race with 2,770,818 votes, just ahead of GOP challenger Jefferson Griffin, who received 2,770,193 votes, setting the stage for a recount.
Republican Griffin led the race until, weeks after the election, Democrat Riggs suddenly overtook her opponent.
President Trump won North Carolina by more than 3 percent over Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, yet the Democrats managed to take many down-ballot races.
The Democrat incumbent is now ahead by 600 votes after late votes came in for the North Carolina Supreme Court seat.
Jefferson Griffin is challenging 60,000 ballots he believes should not have been counted, The Carolina Journal reported.
“As North Carolinians, we cherish our democratic process. Protecting election integrity is not just an option — it’s our duty,” Griffin said in a North Carolina GOP news release. “These protests are about one fundamental principle: ensuring every legal vote is counted.”
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley joined Jefferson Griffin in filing hundreds of protests against the 60,000 ballots.
“The RNC and NCGOP have joined Jefferson Griffin in filing hundreds of protests over 60,000 ballots that should not have been counted in the NC Supreme Court race. Our attorneys are on the ground in-state,” Michael Whatley said.
“The NC State Board of Elections failed to administer this election fairly. They have been inconsistent, uncooperative, and non-transparent throughout this process — but we will fight them every step of the way,” Whatley said.
This case has been bouncing around between state and federal courts.
Earlier this week a federal judge sent the case back to North Carolina. The State Board of Elections appealed the decision to a federal appeals court. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has not issued a ruling yet.
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted Jefferson Griffin’s request and issued a temporary stay blocking the certification of the election.
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