Honestly, it feels like we’ve been talking about the 2024 election for an eternity. While most of the country moved on months ago, North Carolina was stuck in a legal time warp. But finally, the drama has a closing chapter. North Carolina judge Jefferson Griffin concedes defeat to Allison Riggs, ending a six-month stalemate that tested the nerves of voters and election officials alike.
The white flag came out on May 7, 2025. This wasn't just a simple "I lost, good luck" kind of phone call. It was the culmination of a brutal, multi-court marathon that didn't stop until a federal judge basically said, "Enough is enough."
What Really Happened with the Concession
Griffin, a Republican who currently sits on the state’s Court of Appeals, finally dropped his legal challenges after a significant ruling from U.S. District Judge Richard Myers II. The math was always tight. When all the dust settled from the initial counts and two subsequent recounts, incumbent Democrat Allison Riggs held a lead of exactly 734 votes.
Out of more than 5.5 million ballots cast, that’s a razor-thin margin.
But Griffin wasn't originally arguing about a miscount. He was arguing about the rules. He challenged over 60,000 ballots, mostly targeting voters with allegedly incomplete registration data and military or overseas voters. It was a bold strategy. Some would call it aggressive. Others, like Riggs herself, called it a threat to democracy.
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In his concession statement, Griffin didn't exactly sound like he was having a change of heart regarding his legal theories. "While I do not fully agree with the District Court's analysis, I respect the court's holding," he noted. He basically admitted that while he still thinks he had a point about how those votes were handled, the road had reached a dead end. He decided not to appeal to the Fourth Circuit, effectively ending the last uncertified race from the 2024 cycle.
The Federal Ruling That Changed Everything
You've gotta look at Judge Myers' 68-page order to understand why Griffin folded. Interestingly, Myers is a Trump appointee, but he wasn't having any of the retroactive rule-changing. His logic was pretty straightforward: you can’t change the rules of the game after the buzzer sounds.
The court found that throwing out ballots from overseas military members and civilians based on new interpretations of registration laws would violate their due process. It’s kinda common sense when you think about it. If you follow the instructions provided to you at the time of voting, the government shouldn't be allowed to come back six months later and say, "Actually, we changed our mind about that registration form, so your vote is trash."
Riggs didn't hold back in her response. She pointed out the "immeasurable damage" done by the delay. She talked about the millions of dollars spent and the 68,000 voters whose voices were essentially in limbo for half a year. For her, this wasn't just about keeping her seat; it was about preventing a precedent where losing candidates use the courts to "curate" the electorate after the fact.
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Why This Race Matters for North Carolina’s Future
If you're wondering why everyone was fighting so hard over one seat on a seven-member court, look at the math. Currently, Republicans hold a 5-2 majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court. If Griffin had won, that would have jumped to 6-1.
By holding this seat, Democrats keep a toehold on the bench. This is huge for 2026 and 2028. If Democrats can defend another seat in 2026 and flip two in 2028, they could regain control of the court. Why does that matter to the average person?
- Gerrymandering: The court has the final say on whether legislative maps are fair or illegally partisan.
- Voter ID: They interpret the state's strict identification laws.
- Reproductive Rights: As we've seen across the country, state supreme courts are now the primary battleground for abortion access.
Riggs has been vocal about her commitment to reproductive freedoms and voting rights. Her staying on the bench means the court’s conservative majority isn't completely unchecked.
The Human Side of a 189-Day Election
Imagine being a poll worker or an election official in a county like Guilford or Wake. You’ve done the work. You’ve counted the ballots. You’ve done the recounts. And then, for six months, you’re told your work might be invalidated because of a legal technicality. Karen Brinson Bell, the outgoing director of the State Board of Elections, expressed a sentiment many share: a hope that we return to a time when losers concede rather than trying to "tear down the entire election system."
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It’s been a long road. Six months and two days, to be exact.
What Happens Now?
Now that North Carolina judge Jefferson Griffin concedes defeat to Allison Riggs, the state can finally move forward. Riggs will serve a full eight-year term. Griffin remains on the Court of Appeals, though his term there will eventually come up for renewal or change.
The lesson here is pretty clear. While the legal system allows for challenges, there is a point where the finality of the vote has to take precedence over "what if" legal theories. For the 5.5 million North Carolinians who showed up, the wait is over.
Actionable Insights for NC Voters:
- Check your registration: Even if you've voted for years, use the NC SBOE portal to ensure your address and ID info are 100% current to avoid your ballot being "challenged" in the future.
- Understand the "Cure" Process: If you vote absentee, keep an eye on your mail. If there is an issue with your ballot, you often have a window to "cure" or fix it, but you have to act fast.
- Monitor the 2026 Bench: Justice Anita Earls is the next Democrat up for re-election. If you care about the balance of the court, that’s the next big date on your calendar.
The certification is final. The lawsuits are done. North Carolina's highest court stays at a 5-2 split, and the will of the 734-vote margin stands.