RALEIGH, N.C. — Justice Allison Riggs was officially sworn in on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to a full eight-year term on the North Carolina Supreme Court, marking the conclusion of a months-long legal dispute over the 2024 election results.
Riggs, a Democrat, secured her seat after narrowly defeating Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast in the general election. The outcome remained unresolved for over six months due to legal challenges surrounding the eligibility of certain absentee ballots, including those from military and overseas voters.
Griffin challenged the inclusion of approximately 65,000 ballots, arguing they lacked proper identification or were submitted by individuals with limited ties to North Carolina. A federal judge ultimately ruled that excluding the ballots would infringe on voters’ constitutional rights, leading to the certification of Riggs’ victory.
Griffin conceded the race on May 7. The North Carolina State Board of Elections certified the results on May 13, clearing the way for Riggs’ swearing-in ceremony, which took place in the historic House chamber of the old Capitol building in Raleigh.
Riggs was initially appointed to the state’s high court in September 2023 to fill a vacancy following a retirement. With the certification of her election, she will now serve a full eight-year term on the bench.
