- Federal judge blocks GOP effort to remove 1,675+ ballots
- Riggs maintains 734-vote lead after two recounts
- Ruling cites constitutional protections against retroactive voting rule changes
- Case becomes national model for post-election challenges
In a decisive victory for voting rights advocates, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers has ordered North Carolina election officials to certify Democratic Justice Allison Riggs' narrow victory in the state Supreme Court race. The ruling comes after months of legal battles over military ballots and overseas voters' rights that threatened to overturn one of America's last unresolved 2024 elections.
The 68-page opinion delivers a scathing rebuke to Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin's attempts to disqualify ballots under rules created after Election Day. Myers emphasized that constitutional protections form an unbreakable shield against retroactive disenfranchisement,particularly when targeting specific Democratic-leaning counties. With over 5.5 million votes cast, the 0.013% margin represents the smallest statewide race in North Carolina history.
Legal experts note this case establishes three critical precedents for future elections:
- Federal courts will intervene when state actions violate due process
- Post-election rule changes constitute unconstitutional voter suppression
- Selective ballot challenges targeting opposition strongholds face heightened scrutiny
The decision carries significant implications for North Carolina's judicial landscape. Riggs' retention preserves a crucial Democratic voice on the 7-member court, delaying Republican hopes for conservative control until at least 2028. Analysts suggest this could impact upcoming rulings on redistricting, voting access, and abortion rights through 2030.
Myers' ruling specifically protected two voter categories: military families using legacy residency claims and overseas citizens exempt from photo ID requirements. The judge noted these voters followed existing 2023 regulations, comparing Griffin's challenges to changing football goalposts during the championship trophy ceremony.
Regional election data reveals a troubling pattern in Southern states, where 43% of post-election lawsuits since 2020 have targeted urban counties with majority-minority populations. North Carolina's experience mirrors recent controversies in Georgia and Texas, where courts have increasingly rejected last-minute ballot disqualification attempts.
As voting technology advances, this case underscores the growing importance of clear pre-election guidelines. The rejected challenges would have required manual verification of 65,000+ signatures - a process election integrity experts say risks human error and partisan bias. Nationwide, 78% of similar 2024 ballot audits have preserved original counts according to the Brennan Center.
With Griffin considering a 4th Circuit appeal, political scientists warn of escalating constitutional crises. This isn't just about North Carolina,notes Duke University law professor Michael Crowell. It creates a judicial roadmap for either protecting or overturning elections in 2028's battleground states.
