Ahead of the North Carolina Court of Appeals hearing the ballot challenge case on Friday, North Carolina military service members held a press conference to call on the judges to protect military votes.
“We believe in our Constitution and the goodness of democracy,” Amanda Reeves, a former active-duty Air Force officer, reservist, and military spouse, stated during the press conference. “A fundamental part of that is our right to vote, and the belief that our government has an obligation to make voting accessible to its citizens and to protect and respect those votes as the voice of the people.”
Republican state Supreme Court candidate Judge Jefferson Griffin is challenging the votes of more than 5,500 military and overseas absentee voters, along with 60,000 ballots from voters across the state.
“These are legitimate ballots, many cast by service members and families like mine,” Reeves added. “Protect the legitimate ballots cast by over 65,000 North Carolinians, including those of our fellow service members and military families – we’re urging the North Carolina Court of Appeals to step up with us to protect the rule of law, to protect the rights of our fellow citizens and their desire to participate in our democracy and to protect our Constitution.”
In his lawsuit, Griffin is suing the state Board of Elections in an attempt to toss out the more than 65, 500 ballots in order to overturn the 2024 November election results. Griffin is seeking to unseat Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, who won by 734 votes – which has been confirmed by two independent recounts.
The case has made its way to a three-panel of judges on the state Court of Appeals last Friday.
“I firmly believe that our government has a noble obligation to protect and serve the American people with unwavering commitment,” stated Tanya White Anderson, a veteran and former postal worker, during the press conference. “I humbly and respectfully ask that you Judge Hampton, Judge Tyson, and Judge Gore, stand guard the legitimate ballots cast by over 65,000 North Carolinians and uphold the law with integrity and honor consistent with the principle you embody.”
According to NC Newsline, regardless of the decision made by the three-judge panel, the case will likely be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
You can watch the press conference here.
