North Carolina Appeals Court Ruling Could Shift Supreme Court Race Outcome, Mandates Voter ID Verification for 65,000 Ballots

In a recent development, the North Carolina Court of Appeals delivered a 2-1 decision favoring Republican state Supreme Court candidate and Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin. This decision is part of an ongoing legal dispute concerning the results of the state’s Supreme Court race. The court found that thousands of ballots cast in the November 2024 election might have been counted improperly. As a result, the court has mandated that over 65,000 voters, whose eligibility was questioned by Griffin and his legal team, must provide proof of identity to state election officials within 15 business days to validate their votes.

The ruling stipulates that any voter who fails to comply with the requirement to verify their identity will have their vote excluded from the final count. This decision comes amidst a legal contest between Griffin and his Democratic opponent, Allison Riggs, which remains unresolved five months after the election. The outcome of this ruling could potentially disenfranchise a significant number of voters and impact the narrow victory claimed by Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs.

The implications of the court’s decision are significant, as it could alter the outcome of the tightly contested race. The ruling represents a potential advantage for Griffin, as it may shift the election results in his favor. The decision underscores the contentious nature of the election and the ongoing legal challenges surrounding it.

Additionally, the appeals court has instructed the state Board of Elections to conduct a recount of the challenged votes. This recount is expected to further scrutinize the ballots in question and could play a crucial role in determining the final outcome of the race. The legal proceedings and subsequent recount are likely to draw continued attention as the state seeks to resolve the disputed election results.