NC Supreme Court Allows 60K Votes Lacking ID To Count
FederalistAPR 23
North Carolina Supreme Court Splits Ruling on Challenged Ballots
Above: Demonstrators rally at the North Carolina State Capitol on Feb. 17, 2025 to protest Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin's challenge of 65,000 ballots in November's election. Image copyright: Travis Long/Contributor/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This ruling appropriately addresses serious concerns about election integrity by ensuring proper voter identification and residency requirements are met, particularly for overseas voters and for those who have never lived in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the Democratic-run state board of elections is being rewarded by the court and allowing the majority of challenged votes to count.
Democratic narrative
Despite the state Supreme Court's attempt to split its decision, this situation is still blatantly unconstitutional and leaves too much room for election subversion. Hundreds of people who complied with voting laws at the time they registered are being unfairly burdened to comply with rules that have changed. Even worse, this could establish a playbook for any party that wants to rig an election in the future.