Federal Judge Upholds Riggs' Victory, Rejecting Griffin’s Ballot Challenges
U.S. District Judge Myers orders North Carolina to certify Democratic Justice Riggs' win, rejecting GOP efforts to invalidate thousands of votes.
Summary
Federal Judge Richard Myers has ruled in favor of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, affirming her 734-vote victory while rejecting Republican Jefferson Griffin's attempts to discard ballots. Myers emphasized that altering election rules retroactively would violate voters' constitutional rights, a decision stemming from Griffin's challenge of ballots mainly from overseas military voters. The ruling has been hailed as a victory for election integrity and the equal protection rights of voters. Griffin has a week to appeal, as the Democratic Party looks to solidify its position in North Carolina's Supreme Court.
Sources (6)
- A federal judge ruled that disputed ballots in the North Carolina Supreme Court race must remain in the final count, potentially ensuring a victory for Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs.
- Judge Richard Myers emphasized that changing electoral rules after the election undermines due process and equal protection rights, stating that Griffin's efforts to discard ballots are an attack on democracy.
- Democrats warn that such moves could set a precedent for future attempts to alter election results in other states.
Mother Jones·16d· "…Griffin’s monthslong effort to steal the election sets an extremely dangerous precedent."
TPM·16d· "…Despite a new push from President Trump, the Senate Judiciary Committee is running out of time to bring Ed Martin’s nomination for D.C. U.S. attorney to a vote, Punchbowl reports."
The Guardian·16d· "…Myers wrote that Griffin’s formal protests after the election, which were rejected by the state board of elections, constituted efforts to make retroactive changes to the voting laws that would arbitrarily disenfranchise only the voters who were targeted by Griffin."
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- 16d