North Carolina Supreme Court Race Faces Prolonged Legal Battle Over Ballot Challenges

Republican Jefferson Griffin seeks to overturn his election loss by contesting over 65,000 ballots, citing alleged voter registration and ID issues.

Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin is challenging the results of the North Carolina Supreme Court election he lost to Democrat Allison Riggs by 734 votes, aiming to invalidate over 65,000 ballots.
Griffin's legal argument focuses on incomplete voter registration records and the absence of photo ID for military and overseas absentee voters, despite these ballots being cast under existing rules exempting such requirements.
Critics, including Riggs and voting rights organizations, argue that Griffin's challenges constitute retroactive disenfranchisement and lack evidence of ineligible voters, with no claims that the rules in place were violated by voters.
The case has moved through state and federal courts, with potential for prolonged litigation as appeals and federal claims remain possible depending on the outcome at the state level.
Voters whose ballots are being contested, including military and overseas voters, have expressed frustration, stating they followed the rules provided at the time and feel targeted unfairly.