Cornel West Ineligible for State Ballot Following Supreme Court Decision

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has ruled to keep independent presidential candidate Cornel West off the November ballot, potentially impacting the tight race in this crucial swing state.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling rejecting Cornel West’s bid to be on the November ballot.
The decision allows counties to start printing, testing, and sending out mail-in ballots.
West’s campaign lacked required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors.
The race in Pennsylvania is very close, with Harris having a 0.1 percentage point lead over Trump in recent polls.
West’s candidacy could potentially siphon votes from Kamala Harris due to his left-wing policy positions.

Court Ruling Keeps West Off Pennsylvania Ballot

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court’s decision to reject independent presidential candidate Cornel West’s bid to appear on the November ballot. This ruling supports the position of the secretary of state’s office under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration. The court’s decision hinged on West’s campaign failing to submit required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors by the August 1 deadline.

Cornel West will not appear on Pennsylvania presidential ballot: PA Supreme Court https://t.co/bQpXEQu1Vw

— Just the News (@JustTheNews) September 16, 2024

With West’s disqualification, the Pennsylvania ballot will feature Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Green Party’s Jill Stein, and Libertarian Party’s Chase Oliver. This development is significant given Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state with 19 electoral votes at stake.

Implications for the Election Process

The court’s decision allows counties to proceed with ballot preparations, a process that has been on hold pending this ruling. Secretary of State Al Schmidt swiftly certified the ballot for counties following the court’s decision.

The process of testing, printing, and mailing ballots could extend into October. State law mandates that counties start delivering or mailing ballots as soon as they are certified and available. Voters can also obtain mail-in ballots in person at county election offices.

Potential Impact on the Race

West’s exclusion from the Pennsylvania ballot could have significant implications for the tight presidential race. Currently polling between 0% and 2% in most state and national polls, West’s left-wing policy positions had the potential to draw votes away from Kamala Harris.

The race in Pennsylvania is extremely close, with Harris holding a narrow 0.1 percentage point lead over Trump according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls. This razor-thin margin underscores the potential impact of third-party candidates in a state where recent presidential elections have been decided by slim margins. In 2020, Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by less than 100,000 votes, while in 2016, Donald Trump secured victory by approximately 50,000 votes.

West’s Ballot Access Challenges

West’s campaign has faced similar hurdles in other states. While initially disqualified from Michigan ballots, he was later certified by the Michigan Court of Claims. In Virginia, the Board of Elections ruled that West will be included on ballots despite earlier disqualification over paperwork issues.

As the November 5 election approaches, Pennsylvania voters should be aware of key dates. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 29, and completed mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. With West’s exclusion finalized, Pennsylvania voters will have a clearer picture of their options as they prepare to cast their ballots in this crucial swing state.