NC voters aren’t shy with their outrage over Griffin’s election challenge | Opinion
Editor’s note: Few recent issues have animated North Carolinians as much as Jefferson Griffin’s attempts to overturn his North Carolina Supreme Court loss to Allison Riggs. Here’s a sampling of the many letters we’ve received.
I just found out that I am one of 60,000 voters whose ballots may be thrown out in the race for NC Supreme Court. Allison Riggs won that election by just 734 votes. Now her opponent, Jefferson Griffin, is trying to cancel my vote and many others in hopes of overturning Riggs’ victory.
When we moved to Pittsboro, my husband and I went together to register to vote. We provided the same last name, address and documentation. We have since both voted in every primary and general election without challenge.
Republican Griffin’s lawsuit claims that my husband’s vote is valid and mine should be thrown out. Why? Is it because I am a registered Democrat, and my husband is unaffiliated and often votes Republican? Coincidence?
I feel insulted and disrespected by Griffin’s attempts to cancel my vote. I urge Griffin to withdraw this lawsuit, which is tarnishing his reputation and undermining the public’s faith in fair elections.
Lynn Holbein, Pittsboro
Opening dark doors
Jefferson Griffin’s attempt to disqualify 60,000 votes in the NC Supreme Court election is a bullying tactic. This blatant attempt to disenfranchise these voters is shameful and opens the door for similar attempts by bullies to get their way in future elections.
Allison Riggs won this election fair and square. The vote has been recounted twice and maintains Riggs won. We need her voice to be heard on the NC Supreme Court.
Lonna Harkrader, Chapel Hill
Won’t support NC
North Carolina has suffered in 2024. Those of us in other states consider ways to bolster the western North Carolina economy. I will not come to or support North Carolina if Jefferson Griffin can undo the people’s will to re-elect Allison Riggs.
I refuse to help a state that undermines democracy and supports a judge’s tantrum. I suspect that other Americans feel similarly.
Christine Navarro, Tacoma, Washington
GOP tactic
I am outraged that the state Supreme Court has refused to certify Allison Riggs’ re-election to the court despite two recounts and a clear, though slim, victory. Her opponent, Jefferson Griffin, is having a tantrum about his loss and is trying to steal a win.
I witnessed North Carolinians standing in front of the Supreme Court for 17 hours to read aloud the names of all voters whose Griffin is trying to invalidate.
There is clearly a pattern in our state of sore losers cheating to get their way, as exemplified by Senate Bill 382 and this Supreme Court Justice race. We will not stand for this attempt to undermine our democracy! Shame on you, Jefferson Griffin! Shame on you, Republican Party!
Marilyn Clayton, Wendell
Learned from Trump
Jefferson Griffin’s suit to throw out the votes of those who did their civic duty and lawfully exercised their franchise in the NC Supreme Court election is shameful, though I fear he’s experiencing no shame at all.
The example of Donald Trump has been well-learned — when you lose an election, use every trick that you can conceive of to overturn that result. It’s time for Griffin to demonstrate some respect for our democracy and concede the race to Allison Riggs.
Russell Outcalt, Holly Springs
It’s math
Jefferson Griffin lost his election to Justice Allison Riggs by 734 votes. It was close. But multiple recounts have not changed this truth. It’s math. Throwing out 60,000 votes to try to re-write history (and math) is antidemocratic and wrong.
Riggs won. The NC Supreme Court is ignoring all measure of democracy by refusing to certify her election and hearing Griffin’s petition to silence the voices and votes of North Carolinians. I join people across our state in expressing my outrage over this blatant and shameful attempt to silence the will of the people.
Shame on you, Jefferson Griffin.
Heather Gray, Durham