North Carolina Ballots Remain in Limbo Amid Court Dispute
Over 65,000 ballots in North Carolina face potential disqualification following a legal dispute regarding voter identification issues. The state Supreme Court has temporarily halted a decision by the North Carolina Court of Appeals that could have led to these ballots being discarded. The pause comes as the court considers whether to implement a more permanent block while the appeals process continues.
Republican Jefferson Griffin, who was narrowly defeated by Democrat Justice Allison Riggs by 734 votes, challenged the election results, arguing that the ballots in question were cast by voters who failed to provide proper identification. Griffin’s protest sought to have these votes invalidated, citing the lack of compliance with voter ID requirements.
A panel from the North Carolina Court of Appeals had initially sided with Griffin in a 2-1 decision, stating that affected voters should be given a 15-day period to correct their registration issues or risk their ballots being disqualified. However, the state Supreme Court’s intervention has stalled this decision, allowing the ballots to remain valid for the time being.
The appellate court’s ruling prompted dissent from Judge Toby Hampson, who criticized the decision as being contrary to legal and constitutional principles. Hampson stated, “Changing the rules by which these lawful voters took part in our electoral process after the election to discard their otherwise valid votes in an attempt to alter the outcome of only one race among many on the ballot is directly counter to law, equity, and the constitution.”
Justice Riggs, who has appealed the decision, declared, “North Carolinians elected me to keep my seat and I swore an oath to the constitution and the rule of law – so I will continue to stand up for the rights of voters in this state and stand in the way of those who would take power from the people.” Her commitment to defending voter rights comes as the legal battle unfolds in a court where the Republican party holds a 5-1 majority.
As the state’s highest court deliberates on the matter, the ballots in question remain intact, albeit temporarily. Justice Riggs will recuse herself from further proceedings due to her involvement in the election dispute. The ultimate decision from the North Carolina Supreme Court will be pivotal in determining the fate of these ballots and the broader implications for voter identification laws in the state.
For further details, see the full report on Democracy Docket.
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