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As the litigation proceeded, the number of votes challenged was reduced to about 1,600 North Carolinians, but a federal judge ultimately ruled earlier this month that none of their votes could be discounted.

If the courts allow Judge Griffin’s attempts to throw out the votes of tens of thousands of North Carolinians, they will undermine trust in North Carolina’s elections and trust in the courts.

The high court's failure to take up the case, she argued, harms both the involved parties and North Carolinian voters.

"I’m committed and honored to stand up for the rights of all North Carolinian voters, whether or not they voted for me," she said.

The broad scope of Griffin's protest means that a number of North Carolinians have had their votes contested — or at least know someone who has — Riggs' parents included.