Three registered voters in North Carolina have filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Elections, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated when the board rejected a petition drive seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. The lawsuit comes after the board’s Democratic majority refused to certify the Justice for All Party of North Carolina. Republicans and allies of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump have suggested that the board members were trying to prevent West, a progressive activist, from getting on the ballot in order to protect the Democratic nominee.
The board approved the certification of two other political parties, We The People and the Constitution Party of North Carolina, which had obtained the required number of signatures. However, concerns were raised about how the signatures for Justice for All were collected, with some board staff members reporting that many of the people they contacted from the petition list said they didn’t sign the petition or didn’t know what it was for. The lawsuit was filed by a registered Democrat and two unaffiliated voters whose signatures were among those collected, challenging the board’s decision to reject the party’s certification.
State board Chair Alan Hirsch defended the decision to reject the Justice for All Party, citing concerns about the signature collection process and possible fraudulent signatures. He mentioned that the board’s staff is conducting a criminal investigation into the matter. Republican legislators have questioned whether the board’s decision was influenced by political motives, and whether the Democratic-majority board acted selectively in their thoroughness. Both sides are gearing up for potential litigation, with the Justice for All Party signaling its intent to file their own suit.
The lawyers representing the voters in the lawsuit have a history of defending Republican causes, raising questions about the political implications of the legal battle. The lawsuit alleges that the board has not provided specific evidence to discredit the validated signatures for the Justice for All Party, and seeks a ruling from a judge to officially recognize the party and allow them to place candidates’ names on the ballot. The deadline for parties to name their presidential candidates in North Carolina is mid-August, putting pressure on all parties involved to resolve the issue quickly.
The West campaign has already secured ballot access in 12 other states, but certification is still pending in some states. The legal battle in North Carolina is part of a broader effort to ensure that all parties have a fair chance to compete in the upcoming election. Both Democratic and Republican interests are at play in this dispute, highlighting the importance of transparency and fairness in the election process. As the lawsuit progresses, all eyes will be on the State Board of Elections and the judicial system to uphold the constitutional rights of all voters involved.
