The battle for North Carolina's Supreme Court seat intensifies as Republican Jefferson Griffin contests Democrat Allison Riggs's narrow lead through multiple recounts and ballot challenges.
As reported by The News & Observer, a second hand-to-eye recount of votes in the contentious North Carolina Supreme Court election is nearing completion, with 98 of 100 counties having finished their review by late Friday.
The unprecedented scrutiny of the election results comes after Griffin's initial Election Night lead of 10,000 votes dramatically shifted in Riggs's favor following the counting of outstanding absentee and provisional ballots. The first machine recount maintained Riggs's lead of 734 votes despite both candidates losing 110 votes each.
Brunswick and Currituck counties remain the final jurisdictions to complete their hand-to-eye recounts, with completion expected by Monday and Tuesday, respectively. The delay stems from the unavailability of some election board members to finish the counts by Friday's deadline. This meticulous process requires election officials to physically examine ballot samples, contrasting with the machine-based approach used in the initial recount.
The State Board of Elections has emphasized its commitment to accuracy and legal compliance throughout this extended review process. The board will only mandate a full statewide hand-to-eye recount if the current sample reveals discrepancies significant enough to potentially reverse the election outcome.
The stakes have risen considerably with Griffin's campaign mounting challenges to over 60,000 ballots cast across the state. These protests will be heard by the State Board of Elections during a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The North Carolina Democratic Party has entered the fray with decisive action against Griffin's challenges. Their lawsuit seeks to invalidate his contestation of the 60,000-plus ballots, marking a significant escalation in the post-election legal battle.
NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton stated firmly:
We are prepared to take on Republicans. They can't stop the results of an election just because they don't like the fact that we won.
Election officials continue their diligent work despite mounting pressure and complexity. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, acknowledged the challenging circumstances:
We applaud the county boards of elections and all of the workers who are assisting them in completing these recounts, hearing the protests from the Griffin campaign, and otherwise conducting post-election tasks. All of this additional work comes on the heels of an incredibly grueling few months before the presidential election, which was compounded in a quarter of the state due to Hurricane Helene.
The State Board of Elections stands at the center of this electoral dispute, tasked with maintaining both efficiency and accuracy. Their role involves supervising the recount process while preparing to address Griffin's numerous ballot protests. This balance becomes particularly crucial given the narrow margin between candidates and the volume of challenged ballots.
Post-election procedures have been further complicated by the recent impact of Hurricane Helene on approximately one-quarter of the state. Despite these challenges, election workers continue their careful examination of ballots while adhering to strict protocols and deadlines.
The board's upcoming Wednesday meeting may prove pivotal in determining the final outcome of this closely watched judicial race. Their decisions could significantly impact not only the immediate election results but also set precedents for future electoral challenges in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Supreme Court race between Jefferson Griffin and Allison Riggs has evolved into a complex post-election battle, with Griffin challenging Riggs's 734-vote lead through multiple recounts and protests of over 60,000 ballots. The contest's outcome hinges on the completion of hand-to-eye recounts in Brunswick and Currituck counties, along with the State Board of Elections' Wednesday hearing. The board's upcoming meeting will likely determine whether a full statewide hand recount becomes necessary and address the validity of the contested ballots.
