Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's decision to exclude Cornel West from the state's presidential ballot for the upcoming November 5, 2024 election. This ruling resolves a significant legal challenge and allows election officials to proceed with ballot preparation in this key battleground state.
The court supported the stance of Pennsylvania's Secretary of State, operating under Governor Josh Shapiro's administration, in rejecting West's candidacy paperwork. The primary issue centered on the campaign's failure to provide required affidavits for 14 out of 19 presidential electors by the August 1, 2024 deadline.
Secretary of State Al Schmidt commented on the implications of this decision:
"As soon as the court rules on that, we'll certify the official list and then counties can complete their preparations to mail out ballots and to have voters, if they choose, go to a county election office to apply in person."
This case was part of a broader pattern of legal maneuvers surrounding third-party candidates. Supporters of major party nominees often engage in such efforts to influence the presence of alternative candidates on the ballot, potentially affecting vote distribution in close races.
With this ruling, Pennsylvania's presidential ballot will feature Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Jill Stein of the Green Party, and Chase Oliver of the Libertarian Party. Stein and Oliver successfully submitted their petitions without facing challenges.
Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, holds significant weight in the presidential election. This places the state on par with Illinois for the fifth-highest number of electoral votes and arguably makes it the most crucial battleground state.
The court's decision now allows county election officials to initiate the process of testing, printing, and mailing ballots. This procedure could extend into October 2024, depending on individual county timelines. State law mandates that counties begin delivering or mailing official mail-in ballots to applicants as soon as they are certified and available.
For voters interested in mail-in voting, the application deadline is set for October 29, 2024, one week before the election. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by county officials no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024.
This ruling not only shapes the ballot for Pennsylvania voters but also highlights the complex interplay between legal processes, election administration, and the strategies of political campaigns in a pivotal swing state.