An incumbent Democrat narrowly won re-election to the state’s highest court. But the Republican-controlled court is considering an unusual protest from her challenger that could flip the result.

Republican Jefferson Griffin lost by 734 votes, but he has contested the eligibility of 60,000 ballots cast in the election.

The State Board of Elections is now temporarily blocked from certifying Allison Riggs as the winner in the Supreme Court election while the court considers her opponent’s challenge of 60,000 ballots.

Three counts show an incumbent Democrat won election to the State Supreme Court. But an unusual protest by the G.O.P. challenger could be headed to that same Republican-controlled court.

The federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday said it will hear Republican State appeals court Judge Jefferson Griffin’s elections case, where he’s seeking to invalidate more than 60,000 votes in the race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court.

A state Supreme Court justice won a narrow victory in November. Her challenger argues tens of thousands of votes should be thrown out.