Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that rejected independent presidential candidate Cornel West’s bid to be on the ballot for the November election in the state. The court sided with the secretary of state’s office in rejecting West’s candidacy paperwork, which lacked the required affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors. This decision allows counties to begin printing, testing, and sending out mail-in ballots to voters who have requested one ahead of the election. The court case was part of a larger legal battle around third-party candidates, as supporters of both major party nominees sought to either include or exclude third-party candidates.
Following the court’s decision, Secretary of State Al Schmidt certified the ballot for counties to prepare for printing and mailing to voters. President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, along with Green Party’s Jill Stein and Libertarian Party’s Chase Oliver, will appear on Pennsylvania’s ballot. The battleground state’s 19 electoral votes are crucial in the presidential election, making this a closely watched race. County election officials had been waiting for the court’s ruling on ballot access cases, and now they will need time to complete the process of testing, printing, and mailing the ballots, which could extend into October depending on the county.
County election offices typically send out mail-in ballots weeks before the election to voters who have requested them. The availability of mail-in ballots for over-the-counter service will also be determined by each county. The deadline for counties to start delivering or mailing official mail-in ballots to voters who applied for one is determined by when the ballot is certified and available. Voters have until Oct. 29 to apply for a mail-in ballot, one week before the Nov. 5 election. The deadline for counties to receive completed mail-in ballots is 8 p.m. on Election Day, in accordance with state law.
The legal battle over third-party candidates in Pennsylvania reflects wider concerns among supporters of the major party nominees about potential support being siphoned off by third-party candidates. The race in Pennsylvania is expected to be highly competitive, with the state’s electoral votes playing a significant role in determining the outcome of the election. President Trump and Senator Harris will be competing against each other, along with other third-party candidates, on the ballot. County officials are now focused on finalizing the printing and mailing of mail-in ballots to ensure a smooth election process for voters across the state.
Overall, the court’s decision to uphold the rejection of Cornel West’s candidacy has paved the way for counties in Pennsylvania to proceed with the printing, testing, and distribution of mail-in ballots for the upcoming election. While the legal battle around third-party candidates continues, the focus now shifts to ensuring that voters have access to the ballots and are able to participate in the democratic process. This development marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the November election, with the battleground state of Pennsylvania poised to play a crucial role in determining the next President of the United States.
