The Democratic National Committee (DNC) employee, David Strange, filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission to remove Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein from the ballot. The commission’s attorney dismissed the complaint, citing ethical concerns as the complaint named commissioners as respondents. The DNC plans to file a lawsuit seeking a court ruling to remove Stein from the ballot, but the Stein campaign has not yet responded.
The bipartisan elections commission had previously approved ballot access for Stein in February based on the Green Party’s performance in a statewide race in 2022. Strange’s argument in his complaint centered around the lack of presidential electors within the Green Party in Wisconsin, which he contended meant they shouldn’t have a presidential candidate on the ballot. Stein’s presence on the ballot could have a significant impact in the swing state of Wisconsin, where elections have been decided by slim margins in recent years.
In 2016, Stein appeared on the Wisconsin ballot and received over 31,000 votes, which some Democrats believe may have contributed to Donald Trump’s victory in the state and ultimately his presidency. The Wisconsin Supreme Court had previously kept Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins off the ballot in 2020 due to issues with nominating signatures. With the presidential race in Wisconsin appearing evenly split between Democrat Kamala Harris and Trump, Democrats are concerned about the potential impact of third-party candidates like Stein on the final outcome.
The upcoming meeting of the elections commission on August 27 will assess whether independent presidential candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, have met the requirements to appear on the ballot. Strange filed a separate complaint against West, alleging issues with the notarization of his declaration of candidacy. West’s campaign manager responded, stating that any notarization discrepancies should not disqualify him from the ballot. Similar notary issues led Michigan election officials to remove West from the state’s ballot.
Overall, the dispute over Jill Stein’s presence on the Wisconsin ballot highlights the ongoing debate surrounding third-party candidates in pivotal swing states. The DNC’s efforts to remove Stein from the ballot reflect concerns about potential vote-splitting and the impact it could have on the outcome of the presidential race in Wisconsin. As the elections commission continues to review the eligibility of independent candidates, the final decision on who will appear on the ballot in Wisconsin remains uncertain.
