Amicus | Sneak Preview: The RFK Jr Ballot Mess in North Carolina Was Just the Beginning
Oct 2, 2024
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Justice Allison Riggs, a key figure on North Carolina’s State Supreme Court, dives into the intricate dynamics of state judicial races and their implications for voting rights. She discusses the pressing challenges in managing elections post-flooding, emphasizing the need for resources amidst climate crises. The conversation also explores the legal chaos surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ballot challenges, highlighting the tension between individual rights and voter access in a crucial battleground state.
North Carolina's elections face major disruptions from climate change, requiring urgent funding and support for effective voter access and infrastructure.
The RFK Jr. ballot controversy underscored the tension between individual free speech rights and the practical challenges of ensuring voter access during elections.
Deep dives
Voting Challenges in North Carolina
Conducting elections in North Carolina poses significant challenges, especially during hurricane season, which historically brings severe weather to the region. Recent climate change-fueled floods have further complicated the voting process, disrupting infrastructure, internet access, and basic necessities in affected counties. The state’s election officials are praised for their ability to manage emergencies, yet there remains a pressing need for proper funding and support to ensure the electoral process runs smoothly. The urgency to ease voting logistics is emphasized, as blocked roads and damaged facilities could hinder access for voters during early voting, beginning on October 17.
Insights on the RFK Jr. Case
The RFK Jr. case raised critical questions surrounding election procedure and timing, particularly regarding the removal of candidates from ballots. After RFK Jr. suspended his campaign but sought to remain on the ballot in certain states, a dispute arose over the State Board of Elections' decision to keep his name on North Carolina ballots, leading to a court ruling that required reprinting and delaying absentee ballots. Justice Alison Riggs expressed concern over prioritizing individual free speech interests over voters' access to ballots, highlighting the complicated implications of such judicial decisions. Her dissent pointed to the significant administrative burdens on election officials resulting from hurried legal changes close to the election, indicating broader challenges within the judicial system.
State Supreme Courts are vital to the functioning of American democracy. They are also where voting rights are enforced or eviscerated. This is especially true of North Carolina’s State Supreme Court, a battleground court in a battleground state. On a special bonus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Stern (your Amicus Plus dream team) are joined by Justice Allison Riggs of North Carolina’s State Supreme Court for an in-depth interview on what’s at stake in North Carolina this year, and the path forward for progressive priorities and jurists in state courthouses.
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