Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin’s concession in the North Carolina Supreme Court race was a massive win for North Carolina voters and advocates, who pushed back against his six-month attempt to overturn the election results by tossing out more than 66,000 votes.
Days following a Trump-appointed judge’s decision on the state Supreme Court case, a certification event was held for Justice Allison Riggs, joined by Justice Anita Earls and North Carolinians, to celebrate the victory for voters and democracy.
“I learned from the people who fought, bled, and died for the right to have a democracy where we all get to be heard,” Justice Riggs stated during the event. “The reason I was able to stand resolute, not discouraged and not intimidated, is because I knew that I stood arm-in-arm with you protecting that precious and fundamental right to vote.”
Justice Riggs pledged to protect the rights of all North Carolinians and condemned the efforts to overturn the election results, which would have disenfranchised thousands of voters across the state, overseas, and military servicemembers.
“You won this election more than six months ago, but it was fewer than seven days ago that this race finally ended,” Justice Riggs told the crowd. “That’s more than 180 days after Election Day, nearly $2 million spent, more than 68,000 voters’ lawful votes put at risk, taxpayers’ time and resources wasted, immeasurable damage done to our democracy.”
Although the lengthy court battle is over, many experts and voting rights experts have warned that the Griffin case has potentially set a precedent that will impact future elections.
Amid Griffin’s attempt to overturn elections, state Republican lawmakers hatched a politically motivated move to gain control over North Carolina’s election administration. For years, the attempt to control the elections board has been ruled unconstitutional, with the latest ruling coming from a trial court that ruled that Republican state lawmakers violated the constitution when they tried to take control of the elections board away from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
Despite the clear violation, the Republican-controlled state Court of Appeals overturned that decision, giving state Republicans the power to take over the election board and force out election officials.
“I hope we can get to a place in this country, and especially in this state that I hold so dear, where dedicated, hardworking election workers are supported and rewarded for their work, rather than vilified by those who don’t like the outcome,” stated Karen Brinson Bell, NC Elections Director, who has been replaced following the GOP power grab.
“I hope we return to a time when those who lose elections concede defeat rather than trying to tear down the entire election system and erode voter confidence. And I hope we recognize that the conduct of elections is the very core of our democracy and should be properly and consistently funded, regardless of the party or the person in control, so that the voice of the people can be recorded accurately, securely, and fairly.”
With a new Republican majority on the State Board of Elections, the conservative-leaning board is expected to enact voter suppression changes and take actions based on Republican President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders’ agendas.
