Judge’s Decision to Block Candidate from Ballot Raises Eyebrows

A Pennsylvania judge has removed Cornel West from the state’s ballot, raising the stakes for third-party candidates.

At a Glance

Independent candidate Cornel West lost a legal challenge to appear on Pennsylvania’s ballot.
Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer ruled against West’s candidacy paperwork.
West’s campaign lacked required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors.
The Nov. 5 election in Pennsylvania holds significant weight, with 19 electoral votes at stake.
West’s lawyer has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Details of the Legal Ruling

Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer ruled against independent presidential candidate Cornel West’s attempt to get on Pennsylvania’s ballot. The ruling was based on the finding that West’s campaign did not submit required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors. According to the Secretary of State’s office, these affidavits are essential for validating the electors’ commitment and eligibility.

The decision came in the context of broader legal efforts by both major parties to challenge or support third-party candidates. The Nov. 5 election in Pennsylvania, a battleground state with 19 electoral votes, is expected to be hotly contested, contributing to the heightened scrutiny and legal challenges.

Court rules Cornel West can’t be on ballot in Pennsylvania https://t.co/U0sy3aCjGs

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 25, 2024

West’s lawyer, who has prior associations with Republican candidates, has not disclosed whether an appeal to the state Supreme Court will be filed. This leaves West’s future in Pennsylvania uncertain, mirroring similar challenges his campaign faces in other states.

Other Candidates Facing Similar Challenges

West is not alone in facing legal hurdles. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already announced his withdrawal from Pennsylvania’s ballot and is suspending his presidential bid to support President Trump. The Green Party’s Jill Stein and the Libertarian Party’s Chase Oliver successfully submitted petitions to get on Pennsylvania’s ballot without challenge.

Meanwhile, the Party for Socialism and Liberation plans to appeal a judge’s decision that removed its candidate, Claudia De la Cruz, from the state’s ballot. Pennsylvania Democrats successfully contested this attempt, citing that seven of the party’s 19 presidential electors were registered Democrats, violating the state’s political disaffiliation laws. As Democratic Party-aligned lawyer Adam Bonin noted, “They literally voted in the Democratic primary and then turned around to try to be electors for a third-party candidate. You can’t do that.”

Implications and Future Steps

The complexities of the electoral system and the challenges faced by independent candidates like Cornel West underscore the procedural hurdles in achieving ballot access. The judge’s ruling emphasizes the stringent regulations that third-party candidates must navigate, often more rigorous than those faced by major-party candidates.

The outcome of West’s potential appeal, along with the ongoing ballot challenges in other states, will be critical not just for his campaign but also for the broader discourse on electoral fairness and the viability of third-party candidates. As the election date approaches, the decisions made in Pennsylvania and other key states will likely have lasting implications on the political landscape.