A Wake County Superior Court judge on Friday rejected Republican Jefferson Griffin’s attempt to throw out 65,000 ballots cast in November’s Supreme Court election.

A Wake County judge on Friday rejected election protests from Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin in his battle over 60,000 ballots.

In three one-page orders, Superior Court Judge William Pittman affirmed the December rulings of the State Board of Elections. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs maintains a 734-vote lead over Republican rival Jefferson Griffin after more than 5.5 million ballots were cast and two recounts.