ACLU of North Carolina Statement on Block to Supreme Court Election Certification

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay blocking the state elections board from certifying the results of the election for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Jefferson Griffin, one of the candidates in the race, has pushed for more than 60,000 ballots in the race to be invalidated and deducted from the vote count. The race has already undergone two recounts, which confirmed that his opponent won the election.

“The people of North Carolina chose a state Supreme Court candidate who reflects their values, entrusting her with the power and responsibility of a seat on the state’s highest court,” said Kristi Graunke, legal director of the ACLU of North Carolina. “The highly partisan attempt to invalidate legally cast ballots disparages the rights of tens of thousands of North Carolinians and threatens the integrity of the election process. We hope the state Supreme Court will remove itself from partisan politics and respect the will of the people by lifting the stay.”