The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a temporary order preventing certification of the election results for Democratic Justice Allison Riggs, despite her narrow victory over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, winning by just 734 votes. On Tuesday, the court, which holds a 5-2 Republican majority, agreed to a stay on the certification at Griffin's request, effectively delaying the finalization of the election results originally scheduled for this week (The Guardian).

This decision arises amid accusations of attempts by state Republicans to overturn Riggs’s victory and disenfranchise voters. Griffin's legal challenges assert that approximately 60,000 votes should be disqualified, mainly on the grounds that the voters lacked either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering. However, the basis for disqualification remains contentious as it raises questions about the voters' actual eligibility (Vox).

The state Board of Elections, currently with a Democratic majority, has previously dismissed Griffin's claims. Following a series of recounts which confirmed Riggs's election, Griffin requested state supreme court intervention to challenge what he deemed ineligible votes. In a rapid legal maneuvering, this case has now been propelled back to the North Carolina Supreme Court after a federal court suggested that it should involve state jurisdictions due to the nature of the dispute.

Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper voiced his criticism after the court's decision, asserting, “Allison Riggs won, and the recount confirmed it. Republicans want to toss thousands of legal votes in the trash because they don’t like the outcome.” He emphasized the necessity of ensuring every vote counts in a democratic election (The Guardian).

The stakes of this legal fight go beyond the immediate certification of Riggs' win; they form part of a larger power struggle that has unfolded within North Carolina’s highly contentious politics in recent years. Political analyst Michael Bitzer highlighted the implications of this case, stating that losing Riggs’ seat would significantly diminish the Democratic presence in the state’s judicial landscape, particularly as they look to regain foothold in future elections (Vox).

Active court proceedings will continue with Griffin expected to submit his legal arguments by January 14, as the North Carolina Supreme Court prepares to address these significant questions surrounding election integrity and voter eligibility in the state.