I try not to make a habit of forwarding emails I get from political candidates and elected officials. You likely get enough of those already. However, I am passing along an email that N.C. Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs sent late yesterday.
As a refresher, Justice Riggs won her election to an 8-year term on the N.C. Supreme Court in 2024 by just 734 votes. In fact, Justice Riggs won her race many times over as she stood up to GOP efforts to disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters and change the election rules and results after she won. So, she knows a thing or two about making sure all lawful votes count!
If you have not yet voted, please consider Justice Riggs’ insights below. If at all possible, go vote in person—early or on Election Day. Voting by mail is safe and secure. However, if there are any problems, it’s much easier to address those in person than if you vote by mail, especially this late in the cycle.
We are just 10 days out from Election Day 2026. If you are in North Carolina and have not voted, almost all of the important information you need to make a plan is here. Please vote, ask others to vote, and help make sure every vote is counted!
Regards,
J.D. Wooten
P.S. - Don’t forget our great candidates running for state-wide judicial office, including Justice Earls for the N.C. Supreme Court. You can support these incredible Democratic candidates through our 2026 NC Judicial Slate.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Allison Riggs <team@riggsforourcourts.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 23, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Subject: An important pre-election voting update
To: J.D. Wooten <jd@jdwooten.com>
Hi J.D.,
I wanted to make sure you have all the relevant information to make your vote count in this year’s midterm elections.
Right now, the rejection rate for mail-in ballots that have already been received here in North Carolina is 3%. This rate is double the rejection rate across the entire nation during the 2022 midterms.
If the 3% rejection rate holds, nearly 4,000 North Carolinians’ votes could be spoiled and discounted.
Specifically, make sure both the inside envelope and outside envelope for your ballot are sealed securely. Don’t mistakenly think the inside ballot can be left unsealed.
Additionally, if you vote absentee by mail, please use a great tool we have here in NC — BallotTrax — to check on the status of your absentee ballot. Please don’t just put it in the mail and forget about it. Check BallotTrax *daily* until you can see that your ballot has been accepted and there were no problems.
If you are able to vote in person instead — during the early voting period (which ends on 10/31) or on Election Day (11/3) — I encourage you to use that option.
Click here for in-person early voting information >>>
Click here for information about voting on Election Day >>>
Thanks for being vigilant about your rights and the status of your ballot!
Allison