Democrats Maneuver to To Keep Presidential Candidate Off State Ballots

Wisconsin Democrats attempt to exclude Green Party candidate Jill Stein from the ballot, potentially boosting Kamala Harris’s chances in a crucial swing state.

At a Glance

A DNC employee filed a complaint to remove Jill Stein from the Wisconsin ballot
Stein’s presence could impact the swing state where recent elections have been decided by narrow margins
The complaint argues the Green Party cannot nominate presidential electors in Wisconsin
Democrats aim to consolidate the progressive and pro-Palestinian vote for Harris
Stein’s campaign manager criticizes the move as anti-democratic

Democrats Seek to Remove Green Party from Wisconsin Ballot

In a strategic move that could significantly impact the 2024 presidential race, Wisconsin Democrats are working to keep Green Party candidate Jill Stein off the state’s ballot. This effort, spearheaded by a Democratic National Committee (DNC) employee, aims to consolidate the progressive vote behind Kamala Harris in a state where recent elections have been decided by razor-thin margins.

The complaint, filed by David Strange, deputy operations director in Wisconsin for the DNC, argues that the Green Party cannot nominate presidential electors in Wisconsin, a requirement for ballot access. This technical challenge is based on state law mandating that electors be state officers or legislative candidates, which the Green Party currently lacks.

Wisconsin Democrats move to block Jill Stein from ballot — which would likely boost Kamala Harris among pro-Palestine voters https://t.co/SVSUp1WBtI pic.twitter.com/on5rcMO3XM

— New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2024

Potential Impact on Swing State Dynamics

Wisconsin’s status as a critical swing state amplifies the significance of this move. In 2016, Stein received over 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, exceeding Trump’s winning margin. With recent polls showing a close race between Harris and Trump, even a small number of votes could prove decisive.

“We take the nomination process for President and Vice President very seriously and believe every candidate should follow the rules,” Adrienne Watson, senior adviser to the DNC, said in a statement. “Because the Wisconsin Green Party hasn’t fielded candidates for legislative or statewide office and doesn’t have any current incumbent legislative or statewide office holders, it cannot nominate candidates and should not be on the ballot in November.”

The Democratic strategy extends beyond Wisconsin, with efforts to block independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in several states. These actions reflect growing concerns within the party about the potential influence of third-party candidates on the presidential race outcome.

Pro-Palestinian Vote and Electoral Dynamics

Removing Stein from the ballot could particularly benefit the Democratic Party by consolidating pro-Palestinian votes. In the April primary, nearly 48,000 Wisconsin voters protested Biden’s Israel-Gaza policy by casting “uninstructed ballots.” Stein, who has taken a strong stance against the conflict in Gaza, enjoys significant support among Arab-American voters.

A recent poll showed Stein receiving 45.3% support among Arab-American voters, compared to Harris’s 27.5% and Trump’s 2%. This stark contrast underscores the potential impact of Stein’s presence or absence on the ballot in Wisconsin, where the Arab-American community could play a pivotal role.

Green Party Response and Democratic Concerns

The Green Party has responded forcefully to the Democrats’ actions. Stein’s campaign manager, Jason Call, criticized the move as anti-democratic and part of a broader DNC strategy to prevent Green Party ballot access.

“This is a fishing expedition conjured up by the DNC,” Stein’s campaign manager Jason Call told The Post. “And [it’s] in line with their statements back in March that they will hire an army of lawyers and infiltrators to find any angle of attack to prevent Green Party ballot access.”

As the Wisconsin Elections Commission prepares to meet and decide on the ballot status of several candidates, including Stein, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Cornel West, the outcome could significantly shape the electoral landscape in this crucial swing state. The Democrats’ strategy reflects their understanding of Wisconsin’s importance and their determination to secure every possible advantage in what promises to be a closely contested race.