First:
Democratic Justice Allison Riggs defeated her opponent, state appeals court Judge Jefferson Griffin, by 734 votes in November’s election. But Griffin is refusing to concede – and instead has launched a multi-pronged attack on voters in both state and federal court. He’s trying to litigate away his loss by silencing over 67,000 voters, disproportionately from Black North Carolinians, and overturn the results of the election. Justice Riggs’ victory is the last uncertified race in this country.
Then:
The case ping-ponged between federal and state courts.
(In federal court) The Fourth Circuit heard oral arguments and ordered that the case stay in state courts for now. The court retained some federal jurisdiction, which means the case may go back there later.
(In state court) In a particularly egregious move, Griffin suggested that the court, as a first step, disqualify only overseas voters—including active military personnel and their families—but only from six heavily Democratic counties. Normally, Republicans attempt to hide it better when they cherrypick votes to suppress, but he is saying the quiet part out loud.
In Wake County Superior Court, the judge ruled against Griffin.
Griffin appealed to the Court of Appeals. This is the very court he sits on, but he has not recused. Neither has his friend and $5000 campaign donor, Judge Thomas Murry.
Even Republican Senator Phil Berger, the leader of the NC Senate (and father of NC Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger, Jr.), feels Griffin has taken it too far. ““The equities are with the voters there,” he said.
April 7, 2024:
The Supreme Court issued a stay in Jefferson Griffin v. the Board of Elections. Last week, the Court of Appeals ruled that voters would have to re-prove their voter registration in order for their vote to be counted. Now, that decision will not go into effect until after the Supreme Court hears the case – and it may not go into effect at all until after the Supreme Court and subsequent appeals in federal court are finished. The North Carolina Democratic Party is standing squarely behind Justice Riggs—and behind every single voter whose rights are under attack. We will continue fighting in court and in every community across the state to defend our democracy.
May 5, 2025:
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After six long months of uncertainty, a federal judge just ordered the North Carolina State Board of Elections to certify Justice Allison Riggs’ election to the state Supreme Court.This is a major victory, not just for Justice Riggs, but for every voter who followed the rules, cast their ballot legally, and waited far too long to see their voices respected.US District Judge Myers—appointed by Trump!—wrote the following in his decision:
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“… this case concerns whether the federal Constitution permits a state to alter the rules of an election after the fact and apply those changes retroactively to only a select group of voters, and in so doing treat those voters differently than other similarly situated individuals. This case is also about whether a state may redefine its class of eligible voters but offer no process to those who may have been misclassified as ineligible.”“To this court, the answer to each of those questions is ‘no.’”
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The best part? This ruling came exactly six months after Election Night.And what a long six months it’s been, y’all.We’re celebrating, and you should too. This is a big victory for democracy, but this fight isn’t over.Jefferson Griffin now has two options:
This case was always about more than one seat on the bench. It was about whether extremists can twist the rules after the fact to throw out votes they don’t like. This week, the courts send a powerful message: not on our watch. Thanks for standing with us through every twist and turn. We’ll keep you updated as we defend this victory, all the way to the end. |