This story originally appeared on NC Newsline. A federal judge on Monday sent Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin’s elections case back to state court, which may leave the outcome of his race in the hands of the GOP majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Incumbent State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs leads Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by nearly 800 votes in a bid to keep her seat.

The Republican majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked the state election board from certifying the victory of one of the court’s own members—Democratic Justice Allison Riggs.

At the request of GOP Judge Jefferson Griffin, Republicans on the state Supreme Court have prohibited the state Board of Elections from certifying Democratic Justice Allison Riggs’ election. Riggs, the incumbent,