- 734-vote margin separates candidates in 5.5M-vote election
- 1,675+ ballots face eligibility challenges under new court orders
- Federal judges block certification amid constitutional challenges
The nation's last undecided 2024 judicial election remains in limbo as North Carolina officials scramble to implement conflicting court mandates. At stake: whether ballots from overseas voters and those lacking photo ID documentation should remain counted in the tight Supreme Court race. Election data reveals over 5.5 million votes were cast, with Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs clinging to a 0.01% lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin.
State election officials now face dual pressures from competing court orders. The North Carolina Court of Appeals mandated removal of ballots from voters who never resided in the U.S. but claimed parental residency ties. Simultaneously, military and overseas voters must verify IDs through a 30-day cureprocess. Guilford County emerges as ground zero, with 1,409 ballots undergoing ID verification – more than double Riggs' statewide lead.
Legal experts note this clash echoes 2022's Moore v. Harper case, where North Carolina's electoral processes faced federal scrutiny. Unique to this battle: courts must reconcile state voter ID laws with federal protections for military voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Griffin's team argues for expanding ballot reviews to 5,500+ votes across six counties, while election officials counter that only pre-deadline protests hold legal merit.
The State Board of Elections' latest filing reveals stark geographic disparities. While 53 counties face residency challenges affecting 266 ballots, three urban counties account for 82% of disputed votes. This urban-rural split mirrors North Carolina's evolving political landscape, where metro areas increasingly determine statewide outcomes. Federal Judge Richard Myers' certification freeze adds urgency, preventing either campaign from declaring victory until appeals conclude.
As both sides prepare for 4th Circuit arguments, election integrity advocates warn of dangerous precedents. Post-election rule changes undermine voter confidence,notes UNC Chapel Hill political analyst Mark Johnson. This case could redefine how states balance ballot access with verification protocols in hyper-close races.With certification deadlines approaching, all eyes remain on Raleigh's courtrooms where North Carolina's judicial future hangs in the balance.
