Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Blocks Independent Candidate, Cornel West, from Presidential Race

September 18, 2024

Judge with gavel and Supreme Court nameplate.

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court blocks independent candidate Cornel West from the presidential race, sparking debate over ballot access and electoral diversity.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania Supreme Court upholds lower court ruling rejecting West’s bid to appear on the November ballot
Decision supports Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration and allows immediate ballot printing
West’s campaign lacked required affidavits for 14 of 19 presidential electors
Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, is expected to be a closely contested battleground state

Court Decision Upholds Ballot Exclusion

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court’s decision to reject independent presidential candidate Cornel West’s bid to appear on the state’s November ballot. This ruling supports the stance of Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, which challenged West’s candidacy based on incomplete paperwork submissions. The court’s decision hinged on the West campaign’s failure to provide required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors by the August 1 deadline.

This development allows Pennsylvania to proceed with its ballot preparation process, a critical step as the state gears up for what is anticipated to be a closely contested election. Secretary of State Al Schmidt swiftly certified the ballot for counties following the court’s pronouncement, setting in motion the printing, testing, and distribution of mail-in ballots.

Impact on Electoral Landscape

The exclusion of West from the Pennsylvania ballot could have significant implications for the upcoming presidential race. As a battleground state with 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania’s electoral outcomes often play a pivotal role in determining the national result. The state’s recent electoral history underscores its importance, with Joe Biden securing a narrow victory of less than 100,000 votes in 2020, while Donald Trump edged out Hillary Clinton by approximately 50,000 votes in 2016.

“Counties can now prepare their ballots to be printed, then begin sending mail ballots to voters who have requested one as soon as they are printed,” Schmidt said in a statement.

While West’s polling numbers have been relatively low, ranging between 0% and 2% in most state and national surveys, his left-wing policy positions could potentially siphon votes from the Democratic ticket. This factor gains added significance given the razor-thin margins that have decided recent elections in Pennsylvania.

Ballot Preparation and Voting Process

With the court’s decision now finalized, Pennsylvania counties can proceed with their ballot preparations. The process of testing, printing, and mailing ballots is expected to extend into October. State law mandates that counties begin delivering or mailing ballots as soon as they are certified and available. Voters seeking mail-in ballots can obtain them in person at county election offices, with the deadline for mail-in ballot applications set for October 29.

The ballot will feature several candidates, including Trump, Harris, Green Party nominee Jill Stein, and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver. Notably absent will be West, whose exclusion stems from the administrative oversight that led to this legal challenge and subsequent court ruling.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirms Cornel West will not appear on state ballots https://t.co/ZkQzsQWkQz

— The Hill (@thehill) September 16, 2024

Broader Implications for Third-Party Candidates

This case is part of a larger trend of partisan legal efforts involving third-party candidates across the nation. West’s campaign has faced similar challenges in other states, with mixed results. For instance, while initially disqualified in Michigan, West was later certified by the Michigan Court of Claims. Similarly, the Virginia Board of Elections ruled in favor of including West on their ballots, reversing an earlier disqualification over paperwork issues.

Re-upping this to say that three of the four cases were resolved Friday afternoon. Supreme Court upheld lower court ruling to keep candidates off ballot. Cornel West case still needs to be resolved before the ballot is finalized. Our story from last week: https://t.co/iBTf7dLrCt https://t.co/4lQFPcXrQq

— Carter Walker (@ByCarterWalker) September 16, 2024

These developments highlight the complex landscape third-party and independent candidates must navigate to secure ballot access. As the election approaches, voters and political observers alike will be watching closely to see how these decisions shape the electoral field and potentially influence the outcome of what promises to be another closely watched presidential race.