A federal judge in Pennsylvania has rejected Cornel West's bid to be added to the presidential ballot in the state, citing concerns about the timing of the request so close to Election Day. The judge expressed sympathy for West's claim but stated that making changes at this late stage could lead to voter confusion and potential post-election litigation.
The judge highlighted that the state's election laws, as applied to West, may be restricting ballot access in a way that raises constitutional questions. West, a liberal academic and professor, is currently serving at Union Theological Seminary in New York. It was noted that West's presence on the ballot could potentially draw votes away from Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.
West's legal team, which has ties to the Republican party, plans to appeal the decision. They argue that any form of ballot access for West would be preferable to none at all. The judge emphasized that disrupting the election process at this stage could lead to errors and voter confusion.
The lawsuit, filed by West, his running mate, and three voters, challenges the interpretation of election law by Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt. They argue that the requirement for West's presidential electors to file candidate affidavits violates their constitutional rights.
West, in his testimony, stressed the importance of equal protection of voices and the integrity of the electoral process. The judge, who was nominated by former President Donald Trump, noted that courts should avoid interfering with imminent elections without strong justification.
Despite the ruling, West's legal team remains committed to pursuing ballot access for their candidate. Schmidt's office is yet to provide a response to the court's decision.
