The North Carolina Board of Elections asked the state Supreme Court to use its power to bypass the state Court of Appeals and take up Republican Jefferson Griffin’s election challenge — a case that could determine whether Griffin wins a seat on the high court.
Griffin, currently a state appeals judge, finished the November general election more than 700 votes behind Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs. The slim margin was upheld by two statewide recounts, but the result hasn’t been certified while Griffin challenges the eligibility of tens of thousands of voters….
A Feb. 7 hearing in Wake County Superior Court resulted in a ruling in the election board’s favor, denying Griffin’s request to throw out the challenged votes. Griffin has appealed that ruling.
In its petition to the Supreme Court, the state elections board says the case raises legal issues of “exceptional public importance,” and should be settled as soon as possible….