Federal Judge Upholds Riggs’ Victory in NC Supreme Court Race

A federal judge has effectively ended the legal challenges surrounding the North Carolina Supreme Court election, ordering the state elections board to certify Democrat Allison Riggs as the winner over Republican Jefferson Griffin. The ruling ensures that thousands of contested ballots, primarily from overseas military personnel, their families, and certain overseas residents with ties to North Carolina, will be included in the final count.

U.S. District Judge Richard Myers, appointed by President Donald Trump, sided with Riggs and others who argued that attempting to remove these ballots after the election would violate the U.S. Constitution. Myers emphasized the importance of adhering to established election rules and protecting the due process and equal protection rights of all voters.

The dispute arose following the November election, where Riggs narrowly defeated Griffin by a margin of just 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast. Griffin, a state Court of Appeals judge, filed formal protests alleging that certain ballots were unlawfully cast and should be excluded, potentially flipping the election outcome in his favor.

Specifically, Griffin targeted ballots from overseas military members and their families who had not included a copy of their photo ID with their absentee ballots. A state rule had previously exempted these voters from this requirement. Griffin also challenged ballots cast by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. but whose parents were North Carolina residents, a group authorized to vote under state law.

State appellate courts initially sided with Griffin, ruling that these ballots were ineligible and directing that voters be given 30 days to provide identifying information for their votes to be counted. However, Riggs, the state Democratic Party, and affected voters argued that Griffin’s efforts were an attempt to retroactively change the election rules after the fact, disenfranchising voters who had complied with the rules as they existed at the time of the election.

Judge Myers agreed with Riggs’ arguments, finding that Griffin’s post-election protests constituted an effort to retroactively change voting laws, arbitrarily disenfranchising targeted voters. He highlighted the principle that election rules should be established before the election and not altered afterward. Changing the rules mid-game, he reasoned, would create confusion, turmoil, and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

In his 68-page order, Myers explicitly stated that the case revolved around whether the Constitution allows a state to change election rules after the fact and apply those changes retroactively to a select group of voters, treating them differently from similarly situated individuals. He concluded that such actions were unconstitutional.

The judge ordered the State Board of Elections to certify the results based on the tally at the completion of the canvassing period on December 10, 2024, effectively denying Griffin’s petitions for judicial review and injunctive relief. He also delayed his order for seven days to allow Griffin’s campaign to appeal the ruling to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Griffin’s campaign spokesperson, Paul Shumaker, indicated that the legal team was reviewing Myers’ order and evaluating their next steps. However, Riggs celebrated the ruling, stating that she was proud to continue upholding the Constitution and the rule of law as North Carolina’s Supreme Court Justice.

The case highlights the importance of clear and consistent election rules and the need to protect the voting rights of all citizens, including those serving overseas or residing abroad. The decision also underscores the potential for post-election legal challenges to undermine public confidence in the electoral process, particularly when those challenges seek to retroactively alter voting rules.

Judge Myers’ ruling provides clarity and finality to a contentious election, ensuring that Riggs will take her seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. The case also serves as a reminder of the ongoing legal battles surrounding voting rights and election integrity in the United States.

The decision brings an end to the last undecided race from the November elections, resolving a significant point of political contention in North Carolina. The focus now shifts to the upcoming term of the Supreme Court, where Riggs will play a crucial role in shaping the state’s legal landscape.

The court’s decisions have significant implications for a range of issues, including voting rights, redistricting, and environmental protection. The outcome of the election will undoubtedly influence the direction of these and other important policy matters in the state.

The case attracted national attention due to its implications for voting rights and the integrity of elections. The decision to uphold Riggs’ victory and protect the ballots of overseas voters and residents with ties to North Carolina is seen as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

The ruling reinforces the principle that all eligible voters should have their voices heard and that election rules should be applied fairly and consistently. The decision also sends a message that attempts to disenfranchise voters through post-election legal challenges will not be tolerated.