In a case that seeks to invalidate over 60,000 ballots cast in North Carolina’s Supreme Court election, a federal judge ruled that the state’s Republican-dominated high court should decide, instead of him.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Richard Myers, an appointee of President-elect Donald Trump, sent GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin’s lawsuit challenging his apparent loss in the November election back to the state Supreme Court.
“Should a federal tribunal resolve such a dispute?” Myers wrote . “This court, with due regard for state sovereignty and the independence of states to decide matters of substantial public concern, thinks not.”
Griffin trails Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs by 734 votes following two recounts of the results. But he and the state Republican Party have challenged tens of thousands of votes, arguing that they were cast by ineligible voters.
Myers’ decision is a win for Griffin, who has asked the state Supreme Court to block the state from certifying the election results while it takes up his challenge.