RALEIGH, N.C (May 7, 2025) — Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) and Forward Justice have issued the following statement about Judge Jefferson Griffin’s concession of the North Carolina Supreme Court race from November that incumbent Justice Allison Riggs won.
The concession comes after a federal judge ordered the North Carolina State Board of Elections to certify Justice Riggs as the winner of the race, noting that changing election rules after the fact to disenfranchise voters violates the fundamental rights of due process and equal protection guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
“Jefferson Griffin’s concession is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the will of the people of North Carolina,” said Jeff Loperfido, Chief Counsel for Voting Rights at SCSJ. “While we remain deeply troubled by the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to retroactively disqualify lawful ballots, we are relieved that this relentless effort to undermine the voices of eligible voters has finally come to an end. This case should serve as a warning: efforts to rewrite election outcomes after the fact are unlawful, erode public trust and threaten the very foundation of our democracy.”
“Jefferson Griffin’s concession brings much-needed closure to a manufactured crisis that sought to cast doubt on the legitimacy of thousands of eligible voters—particularly Black and Brown voters, those serving our country overseas and those inheriting a legal connection to their home state,” said Caitlin Swain, Co-Director Forward Justice. “While the damage done by the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision cannot be undone, we are heartened that the federal court recognized this anti-democratic challenge and that Griffin has finally abandoned the protests. Let this moment serve as a reminder: our elections must be decided by the voters, not overturned by political ambition or judicial overreach.”
SCSJ and Forward Justice voting rights attorneys are available to be interviewed about this concession.
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Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Forward Justice is a nonpartisan law, policy and strategy center dedicated to advancing racial, social, and economic justice in the U.S. South. Our work catalyzes success for social movements and expands opportunities for people affected by injustice. Learn more at www.ForwardJustice.org.