Opinion: The ongoing nightmare of NC tossing my vote
Editor’s Note: Davidson Local has published two news stories about the legal battle to toss approximately 60,000 votes from the 2024 election. The following is the opinion of one impacted voter, who is also the publisher of Davidson Local.
Once upon a time, in the year 2024, excitement and anticipation filled the air as the annual election day approached. People crossed party lines peacefully, eager to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. Despite knowing their chosen candidate wasn't guaranteed to win, they were enthusiastic that their voice would be heard.
Among them was a spirited young woman determined to vote early. In the weeks leading up to this day, she diligently reviewed the candidates’ platforms, engaged in discussions about pressing issues, and even offered others rides to vote, just as her mother had taught her.
As she opened the door to the site, she recalled her childhood race to the door on election day. Although it was not consistently recognized as a civic holiday, she remembered her late mother—a single parent of two—marching her daughters to the nearest polling place despite her illness that prevented her from driving. Her steadfast determination meant she never missed an opportunity to vote. Like a superhero without a cape, she stood tall and confident as she moved to the polling place, radiating strength and purpose with each step.
As time passed, her mother’s health deteriorated, but her resolve to cast a ballot in person never wavered, nor did her firm belief in the importance of this civic duty. She instilled this value in her children, a belief that no disease or illness could ever take away that voice. In those moments, looking up at her mother, the little girl promised herself that she would remain engaged in civic life, advocate for meaningful change, and inspire others to carry the torch of democracy.
That is where my fairy-tale voting story ends.
Following an extremely close November 2024 election, which included a statewide hand recount, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs won by 734 votes over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin. The North Carolina State Board of Elections accepted the election results and was prepared to certify the election. Before the certification could take place, Griffin filed several court cases to invalidate 60,000 ballots statewide.
Griffin's case includes allegations of voters being improperly registered and not having a valid driver’s license or social security number on their voter registration. A friend alerted me that my name appeared on a list of challenged votes (almost 500 of those votes came from my fellow residents of Davidson County). I went into action only to find more frustration. Our options, now in the North Carolina Supreme Court's hands, include having our ballots tossed, counted, or a special election.
As I reflect on countless voters who have braved the rain, those with disabilities navigating lines, long and parents holding impatient little hands to cast their ballots, my heart aches. This latest threat to undermine votes affects people across all political parties; individuals from various affiliations appear on this questionable "challenge" list.
Why does the creation of this list remain shrouded in ambiguity, with details that seem intentionally obscured? I write today from the heart of North Carolina with an unease that I refuse to let go unheard. If history repeats itself, we may only be at the beginning of a significant battle for voting rights. This isn’t the first time the power of North Carolina votes has been questioned. We’ve witnessed similar problems while living in gerrymandered districts, among other tactics designed to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. My concern is that it will open the door for more manipulation and deceit if permitted.
I called numbers, wrote letters, and spent hours drafting stories. Like many affected voters, I turned to my county elections officials for guidance—anything to help make this right. I've reached out for guidance, and one official suggested that it would be wise for all voters—challenged and unchallenged—to renew their voter registration forms. "It couldn't hurt," he said.
What hurts is the damaged confidence in the electoral process and the dismissive responses from political operatives. My vote, which my family treated like a superpower, is being undermined with dubious intentions. Enough with the fairy tales and comic books; this challenged voter list is a blatant partisan nightmare. It’s time for a serious wake-up call about this wasteful tax-payer-funded attempt that seeks to silence our voices. Let’s address this issue head-on, stop playing games and ensure that every vote counts.
