North Carolina Court Orders Review of 60,000 Ballots in Tight Race

A North Carolina appeals court has mandated a review of 60,000 ballots in a razor-thin state Supreme Court race, sparked by Republican Jefferson Griffin’s claims of voter ID irregularities.

Griffin, trailing Democrat Allison Riggs by fewer than 1,000 votes, argues thousands of voters failed to provide required Social Security or driver’s license details.

Additionally, he flagged 5,500 overseas ballots lacking photo ID, raising questions about their legitimacy under state law.

The court’s ruling grants affected voters 15 business days to confirm their eligibility, or their ballots will be tossed out.

This decision is hailed by many as a victory for election integrity, ensuring only legal votes count in a critical contest.

Riggs, however, slammed the order as “deeply misinformed” and vowed to appeal, citing potential voter disenfranchisement.

The dispute stems from Griffin’s December push to discard ballots, aiming to flip Riggs’ slim 734-vote lead.

North Carolina’s voter ID law, enacted after years of legal battles, requires photo identification for all voters.

Critics argue it disproportionately impacts minorities, though supporters say it prevents fraud—a claim unproven at scale.

The court’s 2-1 decision, split along party lines, now heads to the state Supreme Court, where Riggs sits but will recuse herself.

This case could set a precedent for how voter ID laws are enforced in future tight races nationwide.

With the outcome still hanging, both sides brace for a fight that could reshape trust in elections.