Republican Jefferson Griffin lost by 734 votes, but he has contested the eligibility of 60,000 ballots cast in the election.

Democrats and voting rights groups are sounding the alarm after the North Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the

The move gives the court time to consider a challenge by Republican Jefferson Griffin, who has cited debunked legal theories in his previous failed attempts to block Justice Allison Riggs’ reelection.

The State Board of Elections is now temporarily blocked from certifying Allison Riggs as the winner in the Supreme Court election while the court considers her opponent’s challenge of 60,000 ballots.

Three counts show an incumbent Democrat won election to the State Supreme Court. But an unusual protest by the G.O.P. challenger could be headed to that same Republican-controlled court.

The North Carolina Supreme Court blocked state officials from certifying the re-election of Democrat Allison Riggs to the court, allowing Republican Jefferson Griffin to challenge the validity of nearly 60,

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

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.

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