Federal Judge Extends Deadline in North Carolina Supreme Court Election Dispute
A federal judge has granted additional time for all parties involved in the contentious election dispute over a seat on North Carolina’s Supreme Court, allowing them two more days to submit legal arguments. U.S. Chief District Judge Richard Myers intends to issue a ruling following the submission of briefs by May 2, 2025.
Myers has characterized the current briefs as cross-motions for summary judgment, which could lead to a decision without a trial. He emphasized the need for clarity and fairness, encouraging parties to notify the court of any material facts in dispute or indicate if they require more time to present evidence.
The case involves Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin, who is challenging the State Board of Elections and incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat. Riggs currently leads Griffin by 734 votes out of over 5.5 million ballots cast. Griffin has contested more than 65,000 ballots counted in the final tally, while earlier court rulings largely allowed these ballots to remain.
Recent developments raised questions regarding up to 5,700 ballots after an April 11 order from the North Carolina Supreme Court established a “cure” process, potentially disqualifying some ballots. Riggs, the elections board, and the state Democratic Party are advocating for the court to rule against discarding votes at this late stage. Conversely, Griffin argues that state court decisions should remain intact.
As the legal battle unfolds, Myers plans no oral arguments, prompting observers to await a written decision as the state Supreme Court operations remain unaffected. Riggs continues to serve her role on the court, while Griffin maintains his position on the Appeals Court.
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