Raleigh, N.C. – Justice Allison Riggs issued the following statement on the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision from January 22 dismissing Jefferson Griffin’s request for a writ of prohibition and sending his challenges of more than 65,000 eligible North Carolina voters back to Wake County Superior Court.
“I’ve devoted my entire career to defending people’s fundamental rights, and that’s what I continue to do every day as a constitutional officer on the North Carolina Supreme Court. I will continue to work to ensure that voters are not caught in the crossfire of any political agenda. Judge Griffin’s determination to waste taxpayer dollars in a baseless attempt to overturn his electoral loss won’t change my commitment to the people who elected me to this office.
While I agree with the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision yesterday to dismiss Judge Griffin’s inappropriate request for a writ of prohibition, I am disappointed that the door has been opened to dragging this out for so long. Voters elected me to continue serving on the North Carolina Supreme Court 79 days ago, and my election is the last uncertified race in the country. I will continue to make sure that the more than 65,000 voters who Griffin seeks to disenfranchise have their voices heard. No matter how long it takes, I will not stop doing what is right.
We have always known that Griffin’s baseless challenges should be heard and decided in federal court. It’s telling that he is already trying to delay the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ review in light of the North Carolina Supreme Court’s order. Voters decide elections and deserve a swift resolution from our federal courts.”