In a failed six-month legal challenge to election results, the North Carolina state Supreme Court race concludes with Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin conceding to Democrat Justice Allison Riggs.
See the tweet below!
A judge appointed by President Trump rejected Griffin’s attempts to undo thousands of ballots, ending a crucial political standoff.
Judge Griffin’s decision not to appeal leaves North Carolina’s judicial future in Riggs’ hands for the next eight years.
Judge Jefferson Griffin, a Republican, has conceded the contentious North Carolina state Supreme Court election after contesting the results for over six months.
Throughout this ordeal, Griffin’s legal challenges aimed to throw out many votes, claiming election procedures were changed retroactively, affecting due process.
Judge Richard E. Myers II dismissed these claims, emphasizing serious due process concerns raised by retroactive election rule changes.
Despite losing by a mere 734 votes after two recounts, Griffin decided against appealing the District Court’s ruling.
His concession followed Judge Myers’ 68-page order that highlighted procedural concerns while still confirming Riggs’ win.
Myers noted, “retroactive changes to election procedures raise serious due process concerns, particularly where those changes result in invalidating the votes of individuals who cast ballots in reliance on previously established rules.”
The challenge from Griffin was seen as a last-ditch effort by Republicans to maintain influence in the predominantly GOP-led court.
However, the decision not only strengthened Democrat presence in the court temporarily but also set a precarious precedent.
Critics have warned that Griffin’s legal attempts could lead other candidates to question election outcomes across the nation.
Democrat Justice Riggs’ victory is perceived as a triumph over political tactics, wasting no time for Democrat chances of regaining the majority in the seven-justice court by 2028.
Judge Jefferson Griffin acknowledged the court’s decision gracefully, stating, “While I do not fully agree with the District Court’s analysis, I respect the court’s holding—just as I have respected every judicial tribunal that has heard this case.”
This race, the last uncalled contest of the 2024 election cycle, drew national attention for its implications.
The Associated Press had already declared outcomes for over 4,400 races before this race concluded.
Democrat Justice Riggs will now serve an eight-year term on a GOP-majority court, a crucial seat highlighting North Carolina’s contentious political landscape.
🚨2024 North Carolina Supreme Court Election Final Results🚨
🔵 Allison Riggs – 50% (2,770,412) ✅
🔴 Jefferson Griffin – 49.9% (2,769,678)
Final Margin: Riggs by 734 votes pic.twitter.com/4Reh4MiBCU
— The Political HQ (@ThePoliticalHQ) May 7, 2025
