RALEIGH - Jefferson Griffin, a candidate for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat who previously challenged the results of the election, has conceded to his opponent, Justice Allison Riggs. This decision came after a federal judge ruled that previously challenged ballots must remain in the tally and ordered the State Board of Elections to certify results that Riggs won the election.
As Judge Griffin’s challenges were heard in federal and state courts, the ACLU of North Carolina filed two amicus briefs in support of ensuring all votes were counted: one asserting that Judge Griffin’s attempt to invalidate the ballots of eligible voters would contribute to “democratic backsliding,” an attack on the norms of our election process that erodes our state’s democracy; and a second brief emphasizing the primacy of popular sovereignty—a government where representatives are chosen by the voters, and not the other way around.
Kristi Graunke, legal director for the ACLU of North Carolina, issued the following statement:
"We are glad to see this unconstitutional attempt to discard the votes of over 60,000 voters has finally been put to rest. These challenges were a brazen attempt to weaken the democratic process in North Carolina. In the end, the will of the people and the rule of law prevailed. This is a win for free and fair elections.
“Election integrity is not an accident. It requires ongoing efforts by citizens across the state, consistent and even-handed application of the rules governing elections, and the work of democracy advocates to prevent bad actors from eroding our right to elect our representatives. We will continue to identify and oppose threats to our democracy, and we encourage all North Carolinians to do the same.”
###
