The race for North Carolina’s Supreme Court Seat 6 remains unresolved as legal battles continue to stall the election results. On Monday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, heard 90 minutes of arguments as both candidates, Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin, await the outcome of their contentious race. With over 5.5 million ballots cast, Riggs holds a slim 734-vote lead, but protests from Griffin involving approximately 66,000 ballots have left the election outcome uncertain.
The State Board of Elections ruled in favor of Riggs, awarding her the narrow victory, but it has not issued a certificate due to ongoing litigation. The legal challenges surrounding this race have created a complex web of lawsuits involving the candidates, the state board, and courts at both the state and federal levels. The situation has drawn significant attention as it underscores the intricacies of the electoral process and the role of the judiciary in election disputes.
Allison Riggs, who was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2023, is vying for her first elected judicial term. Her career has been defined by her leadership in voting rights, where she served as lead counsel and executive director at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.
Riggs was first appointed to the state Court of Appeals in 2022 and later elevated to the Supreme Court by then-Governor Roy Cooper. Her campaign represents an important moment for the Democratic Party in a judiciary historically dominated by Republicans.
Jefferson Griffin, on the other hand, has built his career within the Republican judicial system. Appointed as a District Court judge in 2015, he went on to secure a four-year term in 2016 and later joined the state Court of Appeals in 2020. His legal team argues that the State Board of Elections mishandled his protests, creating a scenario where thousands of ballots may have been improperly counted.
The case’s escalation to the federal level has added more complexity to an already contentious election. The three presiding justices at the 4th Circuit—Toby Heytens, Paul Niemeyer, and Marvin Quattlebaum Jr.—will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this race. Their decision could influence not only the certification process but also the broader interpretation of election laws in North Carolina.
This election also highlights the historical challenges Democrats face in securing seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In the past five state Supreme Court elections, Republican candidates have consistently defeated Democrats, making Riggs’ campaign a significant test for her party. If successful, she and Justice Anita Earls would be the only Democrats on the bench, breaking a Republican-dominated streak that dates back to 2020.
The broader implications of this race extend beyond the candidates themselves. North Carolina voters remain deeply invested in the outcome, as the judiciary plays a critical role in shaping state policies and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. With the state Supreme Court’s sessions scheduled for February and April, further developments in the case are likely in the coming weeks.
The unresolved race for Seat 6 is a stark reminder of the importance of every vote and the complexities that can arise in close elections. The legal proceedings will continue to shape the narrative, as both Riggs and Griffin navigate the judicial system in pursuit of a definitive outcome. For now, the future of Seat 6 hangs in the balance, leaving voters and candidates alike awaiting clarity in this pivotal race.
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