A United States federal judge has ruled that North Carolina officials must count all ballots in a disputed state Supreme Court race and proceed with certifying the results. The decision follows legal challenges from Republican Jefferson Griffin, who lost to Democrat Allison Riggs by a margin of 734 votes after two separate recounts.

Griffin’s challenge targeted more than 60,000 ballots, claiming that technical irregularities invalidated their inclusion. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers rejected this argument, stating that discarding tens of thousands of votes several months after the November election would violate voters' constitutional rights.

The ruling is expected to stand and effectively confirms Allison Riggs as the winner in the high-profile judicial contest. The case had drawn statewide and national attention due to its implications for electoral integrity and voting rights.

Judge Myers emphasized the importance of respecting the electoral process and ensuring that valid votes are not disenfranchised due to administrative or procedural concerns raised after the fact. He acknowledged that while procedural scrutiny is essential, it must not override constitutional protections afforded to voters.

With this decision, state officials are now legally obligated to finalize the election results and certify Riggs' win. The ruling also sets a precedent against large-scale post-election ballot challenges that lack substantive proof of fraud or error.

The North Carolina Supreme Court race was one of the most closely watched judicial elections in the country, as control of the court could influence major policy decisions in the years ahead. Riggs’ victory is seen as a key outcome for the Democratic Party, ensuring a stronger foothold in state-level judicial rulings.