Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs speaks at an NC Democratic Party rally on Jan. 5, 2025. (Photo: Lynn Bonner)
Hundreds gathered for a Democratic Party rally behind the Legislative Building on Sunday to show support for Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, whose race for reelection remains undecided more than two months after Election Day.
Riggs is leading Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes, but Griffin and the Republican Party are fighting to have more than 60,000 ballots thrown out on the belief that discounting them will elevate him to the Supreme Court. The state Board of Elections has not yet certified a winner.
As Riggs took the stage, rally-goers waved signs saying “She Won.”
Riggs told the crowd the signs should really say “we won,” as she thanked Democratic Party officers and grassroots supporters for working hard for her election and emphasizing the importance of state Supreme Courts.
“I see the work you did,” she said. “When we asked you for your help, you moved mountains.”
Christy Clausell, an unaffiliated voter from Wake, cast one of the ballots Griffin is challenging.
“I’ve never been targeted in any dirty political scheme,” she told the crowd, “but this feels very much like that.”
Clausell has been registered to vote since 2012 and has voted regularly.
Having her ballot challenged is “infuriating,” she said. It “displays a selfish motive by someone who is supposed to care about the people they serve. This is not caring about the people they serve. This is saying we are disposable and don’t matter. I definitely don’t want anyone representing me on our state’s highest court who exercises blatantly dishonorable tactics to get what they want versus serving the people who vote for them.”
A Griffin campaign spokesman did not respond to an email Sunday afternoon.
Griffin has protested several categories of voters. The state Board of Elections has dismissed his protests. Griffin and the Republican Party have petitioned state courts to throw out votes and prevent the elections board from declaring Riggs the winner. Those petitions have been moved to federal court. The state Democratic Party has sued to prevent the ballots from being tossed.
Sunday’s gathering is important to show Republicans “we’re not going to give up and that we’re not going to play dead,” said state Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton. “Every single vote in this election cycle has been counted and recounted. Justice Allison Riggs has won her seat rightfully on the North Carolina State Supreme Court by 734 votes. Those deserve to be respected, and they deserve to be counted, and they deserve to be left alone.”
Some in attendance on Sunday were motivated to stand outside on a chilly afternoon by Senate Bill 382, which became law over then-Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto.
The law strips power from Democratic office holders. Republicans negotiated the law behind closed doors and presented it in a form that could not be amended.
“I wish I could have put 382 on the back of my coat,” said Beth Godwin of Hillsborough. “Shame, shame, 382.”
She hopes the rally will show that people haven’t forgotten. “We’re not going to forget, and we’re watching,” she said.