An incumbent Democrat narrowly won re-election to the state’s highest court. But the Republican-controlled court is considering an unusual protest from her challenger that could flip the result.

A state Supreme Court justice won a narrow victory in November. Her challenger argues tens of thousands of votes should be thrown out.

In his dissent, Justice Richard Dietz wrote that that permitting such a a case “invites incredible mischief” and will “lead to doubts about the finality of vote counts following an election.”

The North Carolina Supreme Court voted to block the certification of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs as the winner of her state Supreme Court race while her GOP opponent challenges the legitimacy

North Carolina's Supreme Court has blocked the certification of a November election result for one of the seats on its court so it can review legal arguments by a trailing candidate.

North Carolina state Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton, left, speaks at a news conference about the pending election for a state Supreme Court seat on Dec. 10, 2024, on Capitol Square in Raleigh, N.C. Gary D. Robertson/AP Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

The state Supreme Court, which has a 5 to 2 Republican majority, will now hear Jefferson Griffin’s challenge of over 60,000 ballots cast in his race to ascend to the high court.

Justice Allison Riggs (D) eked out a 734-vote victory over Jefferson Griffin, but the Republican challenged about 60,000 ballots.

North Carolina's Supreme Court blocked the election results for one of its own seats as Republican Jefferson Griffin challenges Democrat Allison Riggs's lead.

Democratic state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs appears to have defeated Republican Jefferson Griffin in the 2024 election. But Griffin thinks he will win if courts go along with his request to declare 60,