#North Carolina Supreme Court

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Emily Singer at Daily Kos:

The GOP-controlled North Carolina State Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked certification of liberal justice Allison Riggs' 2024 victory, allowing the Republican who lost the race to present his argument about why 60,000 ballots cast in the race should be thrown out. Riggs, an incumbent on the court, defeated Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by 748 votes—a narrow victory that was affirmed by two recounts. But Griffin is refusing to concede and instead wants the court to throw out 60,000 ballots based on a ridiculous claim that those voters were illegally registered. Griffin claims those voters did not put their Social Security or driver's license numbers on their voter registration forms, rendering their votes invalid. State and national Republicans used that same argument to try and purge 225,000 voters from the rolls in North Carolina before ballots were cast in the 2024 election. But both the State Board of Elections and a federal judge ruled against the Republicans in that case. Now Griffin wants the court to retroactively disqualify voters—many of them Democratic—so that he can be declared the winner of a race he lost.

The Republican-majority North Carolina Supreme Court shamefully cosigns the GOP’s attempt to steal an election by refusing to certify Democratic Judge Allison Riggs’s victory over Republican Jefferson Griffin.

[saywhat-politics]

The order allows the state Supreme Court to hear a challenge by the Republican candidate in the race — who trails by just 734 votes — to have 60,000 ballots thrown out.

Jan. 7, 2025, 2:05 PM MST

By Adam Edelman

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday that blocks state officials from certifying the Democratic candidate as the winner of a razor-thin race for the state’s high court.

In a 5-1 vote, all of the Republicans on the state Supreme court ruled to prevent the North Carolina State Board of Elections from certifying the results of the race, where Democratic Justice Allison Riggs holds a 734-vote lead over Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs recused herself from Tuesday’s order.

[blondebrainpowered]

Dorothy Counts made national news in September 1957, when at the age of 15, she became one of the first and, at the time, the only black student to enroll in the newly desegregated Harry Harding High School in Charlotte (North Carolina).

This came nearly three years after the Supreme Court ruled public school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

Counts was dropped off on her first day of school by her father, along with their family friend Edwin Thompkins.

As their car was blocked from going closer to the front entrance, Edwin offered to escort Counts to the front of the school while her father parked the car.

As she got out of the car to head down the hill, her father told her, “Hold your head high. You are inferior to no one.”

Source and more photos: Dorothy Counts: The teenager who challenged segregation, 1957

[thingstrumperssay]

The (republican) supreme court in North Carolina is blocking Allison Riggs victory because they're pissed that she won and their guy lost. Because they can just do that now, I guess.

Source, since Tumblr's "link" post isn't working properly again.

Whoever says that they vote republican "for democracy" is a fucking liar.

[gwydionmisha]

This win was essential for saving democracy and a huge relief.

[marvelsmostwanted]

North Carolina voters -

Please spread this link far and wide. Candidate Jefferson Griffin, who - according to two recounts - lost a race for NC Supreme Court, is refusing to concede and challenging 60,000 votes over voter ID - an obstacle no voter should have to face in the first place. He is a sore loser who is trying to overthrow the will of the voters - certainly not someone who should steal a state Supreme Court seat from Allison Riggs, the candidate who fairly won re-election.

Check the link above to see if your name is on the list, and if you know voters in North Carolina, share the link so they can check and share too.

Per WCNC Charlotte:

“After two recounts, incumbent Justice Allison Riggs holds a 734-vote lead over Griffin. However, Griffin says 60,000 of those votes should have never been counted in the first place, accusing many of these voters of not providing the correct identification to register.

Earlier this month, that same court blocked state elections officials from certifying Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs as the winner.

U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (D-Raleigh) expressed her opinion on the matter more explicitly last week on the House floor.

"Her victory was confirmed by two separate recounts, but her opponent refuses to concede," Rep. Ross said. "Four years after January 6th, we're once again reminded about how fragile our democracy truly is. A judicial candidate does not accept the results of an election, so he is trying to silence voters in the pursuit of power."”

[tomorrowusa]

Democrats have an overlooked bright spot from the election.

Many states elect their supreme court justices. At least in that area, Democrats had a decent election.

Across the country, voters also elected liberal justices to their state Supreme Courts, which function as a key backstop for civil rights and democracy as federal courts lurch rightward. Progressives didn’t win a clean sweep, but they emerged with an impressive scorecard, carrying seats in battlegrounds like Michigan and safely red states like Kentucky and Montana. Left-leaning judicial candidates even prevailed in deep-red Arkansas and Mississippi, bucking the national shift rightward. And a progressive jurist is now leading the tally heading into a recount in an extraordinarily close race for the North Carolina Supreme Court, with a victory there promising to end the left’s painful losing streak on that bench and serve as a capstone for the one piece of the 2024 election where progressives actually flourished.

Democrats in general did well in state races in North Carolina. Perhaps that deserves a post of its own. But back to the courts.

This shifting dynamic is perhaps most evident in North Carolina, a swing state that Trump carried by about 3 points. Despite Trump’s triumph at the top of the ticket, Democrats prevailed in other statewide races, including governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. And the party had another key objective this cycle: Breaking the cycle of losses on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Just four years ago, liberals held a 6–1 majority on this court. In 2020 and 2022, however, Republicans narrowly flipped four seats, establishing a 5–2 conservative majority. This year, Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, sought to stop the bleeding by holding down her seat against a Republican challenger, Jefferson Griffin. Her victory would create a path for progressives to flip back the court in 2028. On election night, it looked like Riggs might narrowly lose. But as counties tallied provisional ballots, she took the lead and now holds an edge of about 625 votes over Griffin. There will be a recount, but right now, the odds are in Riggs’ favor.

Perhaps you recall how Wisconsin Dems flipped the Wisconsin Supreme Court last year. That caused a gerrymandered state map to get thrown out and ended the GOP supermajority in the state legislature.

A similar strategy in another battleground, Michigan, helped progressives grow their majority on the state Supreme Court this year even as Trump carried the state. Liberals currently hold a 4–3 majority on the bench, and Republicans had a chance to flip it in November. One liberal incumbent, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, faced a Republican challenger, Patrick O’Grady. And the race for an open seat pitted the progressive Kimberly Anne Thomas against Republican state Rep. Andrew Fink. On Election Day, Bolden and Thomas each won by more than 20 points, with backing from outside groups, including Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. In advertisements, these groups told voters that Bolden and Thomas could be trusted to enforce Michigan’s new constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights—while O’Grady and Fink would “take abortion rights away.” Bolden and Thomas’ blowout victories indicate that the message resonated with Michiganders who care about reproductive freedom.

Read the linked article for more good news.

People tend not to regard state government as being sexy. But it's the states which are best suited to protect our rights during a Trump presidency.

Getting involved in campaigns for state legislative and judicial offices is an excellent way to wet your feet in politics as well as protect democracy.

[jomiddlemarch]

[stephen-barry]

[autonom-us-project]

Abortion Rights in North Carolina

In June 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the ruling of the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade, which had previously provided federal protections of the right to abortion.

With the responsibility of protecting the right to reproductive freedom left to the states, it can be difficult to keep track of all the constantly changing laws and regulations. To help, we’ve gathered the most important information on your state’s current laws, restrictions, and related details. Below is what you need to know about North Carolina’s current abortion legislation.

*Please note, information on this website should not be used as legal advice or as a basis for medical decisions. Consult an attorney and/or a physician for your particular case.

Where does the law currently stand on abortion in the state of North Carolina?

Abortion is currently legal but restricted in the state of North Carolina.

When did North Carolina’s current abortion legislation go into effect?

Following the overturning of Roe v Wade (1973) in 2022, the state of North Carolina enacted a 12-week abortion ban, which took effect in July of 2023. In addition to this, the state has several medically unnecessary, burdensome restrictions to abortion access in place. 

For more information on your state’s abortion legislation, see our breakdowns of various abortion bans, restrictions, and protections in the U.S.

Are there any legal restrictions to abortion access in the state of North Carolina?

Currently, abortion is banned past 12 weeks in the state of North Carolina. Past this point, there are exceptions only in the following cases:

Rape or Incest: In which the individual is a victim of rape, incest, or human trafficking, they may receive a legal abortion before 20 weeks.

Medical Necessity: If necessary to save a pregnant individual’s life or prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical damage, an abortion may be performed at any point.

Non-Viability: If the pregnancy is non-viable, or the unborn fetus would not survive outside of the womb, due to a fatal fetal abnormality, abortion is allowed before 24 weeks. 

In these cases, an abortion does not violate North Carolina law, but still must be carried out in strict accordance with the law. Otherwise, a legal abortion must occur before 12 weeks.

The specifics can be read in North Carolina Legal Code SB 20

What are the penalties regarding abortion in the state of North Carolina?

Currently, there are no criminal or civil penalties for a pregnant individual receiving or attempting to receive an abortion in the state of North Carolina.

Those who provide abortion services in violation of North Carolina law face a fine of up to $5,000, and the possible loss of their healthcare license. 

The specifics can be read in North Carolina Legal Code SB 20

I am pregnant in the state of North Carolina and wish to terminate my pregnancy. What now?

If you believe your pregnancy meets the requirements for a legal abortion in your state, (see the above on exceptions), schedule an appointment with a trusted physician as soon as possible. If not, you will need to arrange an appointment at a clinic providing abortion services out of state. Make sure the state you choose allows abortions at the gestational age your pregnancy will reach by the appointment date.

If you need financial assistance to do this, there are existing funds to help cover both the procedure and travel costs. 

Abortion funds can assist with the medical cost of the abortion itself. Practical Support Organizations, (PSOs), can assist with other costs incurred seeking an out-of-state abortion such as travel, lodging, childcare, provider referrals, emotional support, and judicial bypass for minors, among other needs. Here are a few resources available to those seeking support in North Carolina:

Carolina Abortion Fund [Fund & PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion from North Carolina. Offers financial aid for abortion, transit, emotional support, childcare assistance, abortion doula services, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill). Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Mountain Area Abortion Doula Collective [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion from North Carolina. Offers aid in the form of provider referrals, emotional support, language services, and abortion doula services. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

National Abortion Hotline [Fund & PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion, transit, and provider referrals. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project [Fund] – Provides funding for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion and emergency contraception (the morning-after pill). See their website for more information. 

Abortion Freedom Fund [Fund] – Provides funding for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers financial aid for abortion. See their website for more information. 

Indigenous Women Rising [Fund] – Provides funding for Indigenous individuals Nationwide seeking an abortion. Offers financial aid for abortion. See their website for more information. 

Reprocare [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers aid in the form of provider referrals, emotional support, language services, and abortion doula services. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

The Brigid Alliance [PSO] – Provides support for those seeking an abortion Nationwide. Offers aid in the form of provider referrals, emotional support, language services, and abortion doula services. Provides Spanish language support. See their website for more information. 

Regardless of the legislation your state currently has in place, remember that safe and legal options are always available. The most important tool you can arm yourself with in these difficult times is knowledge, so stay informed about changes in legislation and policy where you live, and know that there are always resources available to help you through this ♥️

[follow-up-news]

The Supreme Court said Monday it won’t review North Carolina’s decision to stop issuing specialty license plates with the Confederate flag. As is typical, the court did not comment in declining to hear the case, which challenged the state’s decision. The dispute was one of many the court said Monday it would not hear. It was similar to a case originating in Texas that the court heard in 2015, when it ruled the license plates are state property. The current dispute stems from North Carolina’s 2021 decision to stop issuing specialty license plates bearing the insignia of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The chapter sued, claiming that the state’s decision violated state and federal law. A lower court dismissed the case, and a federal appeals court agreed with that decision.

[saywhat-politics]

In an unexpected move last night, the North Carolina Supreme Court dismissed GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin’s petition challenging over 60,000 ballots cast in his November 2024 race for a seat on the bench, which he lost to incumbent Democratic Justice Allison Riggs by over 700 votes.

However, the ruling does not mark the end of Griffin’s ongoing legal dispute over his recent election loss.

Wednesday’s order specified that the Wake County Superior Court must hear Griffin’s protests concerning three separate categories of ballots — all of which were previously rejected by the state board of elections — before the state’s highest court ultimately weighs in. The three buckets of ballots challenged by Griffin include those cast by overseas voters who did not submit a copy of their photo IDs, voters who never previously resided in North Carolina and individuals whose voter registrations were allegedly incomplete.

The state Supreme Court also noted that its previous Jan. 7 order halting certification of the contested election will remain in place until the matter is fully resolved, leaving the final outcome of the race hanging in the balance. Democratic Justice Anita Earls dissented from her colleagues’ decision to leave the stay of certification in place, noting that it “prevents the Wake County Superior Court from deciding for itself whether Griffin is likely to succeed on the merits and whether a stay is justified.”

Riggs responded to the court’s latest action in a statement saying that “​​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.”

[punk-rock-quagsire]

[lubranmedia]

US Supreme Court ends affirmative action, drawing protests from students and civil rights groups

An end to affirmative action in college admissions, sets of a wave of emotion on both sides of the issue.

Highest court rules against affirmative action initiatives at Harvard and the University of North Carolina Protesters for and against the Supreme court’s decision to end affirmative action programsat Harvard University and the University of North Carolina rally in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June, 29. By Toni Mitchell eXpress News&Views— In a divided ruling on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme…

[captainxtra]

Some GOP fuckery in North Carolina State Supreme Court Race:

Yeah, scummy as hell.