In a heart-pounding win for democracy, a federal court has slammed the brakes on a Republican attempt to flip the North Carolina Supreme Court election. The ruling, handed down on May 6, 2025, by Judge Richard E. Myers II, a Trump appointee, protects the victory of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs. This decision is a beacon of hope for voters who feared their voices might be silenced. It’s a dramatic moment that reminds us how fragile—and precious—our elections are.
The saga began when Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin, trailing Riggs by just 734 votes, launched a bold challenge to toss out over 60,000 ballots. His plan? Disqualify votes from overseas military members and U.S. citizens born abroad, claiming they didn’t follow state ID rules. Griffin’s team argued these ballots, cast under long-standing laws, were invalid. But the federal court called foul, saying changing the rules after the election violates equal protection. It’s like trying to rewrite the score after the game’s over—unfair and unconstitutional.
This wasn’t just about one seat. The North Carolina Supreme Court, with its 5-2 Republican majority, holds immense power. Griffin’s push, backed by the GOP, sparked fears of a dangerous precedent. Imagine candidates challenging votes in every close race, sowing chaos and distrust. “If we saw this in another country, we’d call it a break with democracy,” warned scholars in a legal brief. The court’s ruling shuts down that nightmare, ordering the state to certify Riggs’ win based on the original count.
The drama unfolded over months, with twists and turns in state and federal courts. Griffin’s campaign targeted votes in Democratic-leaning counties, raising eyebrows about fairness. The North Carolina Supreme Court and Appeals Court had ordered voters to “cure” their ballots with ID after the fact—a move the federal court now says treated some voters differently than others. “This process offends equal protection,” Judge Myers ruled, delivering a clear message: elections must be fair for everyone.
For North Carolina voters, this is personal. Thousands cast their ballots in good faith, following the rules they were given. “These voters did nothing wrong,” said Anderson Clayton, state Democratic Party Chair. The ruling ensures their voices count, preserving trust in the system. Yet, Griffin’s team is “reviewing next steps,” hinting the fight might not be over. For now, though, democracy holds strong.
This victory isn’t just a legal win—it’s a reminder of what’s at stake. Every vote matters, and every voter deserves to be heard. As North Carolina breathes a sigh of relief, the nation watches, knowing this could’ve reshaped elections everywhere. Let’s celebrate this moment, but stay vigilant. Democracy is worth fighting for.
