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

The move gives the court time to consider a challenge by Republican Jefferson Griffin, who has cited debunked legal theories in his previous failed attempts to block Justice Allison Riggs’ reelection.

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

Over two months since Election Day, the state has still not officially declared a winner and the race has been upended by protracted legal challenges.

The Republican-dominated North Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the state's elections board from certifying the results of an election to fill a seat on the court currently occupied by the leading Democratic candidate,

Attorney Craig Schauer, who represents Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin, went before a Wake County judge earlier this week without opposing counsel present to get an order blocking certification of the election.

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 candidates in an unresolved election for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court peppered a federal court with more filings Wednesday — the latest in their legal and political dispute over which court should hear the case and possibly decide who wins the seat.