A Michigan judge ruled in favor of independent presidential candidate Cornel West on Saturday, overturning a previous decision to keep him off the state’s ballot.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections must now place West and his running mate on the ballot if they have submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures.
According to The Hill, Judge James Robert Redford of the Michigan Court of Claims said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the director of the Bureau of Elections “misapplied the law” when making their decision.
Earlier this month, the director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections informed West’s campaign that he would be disqualified from the ballot. The director stated that the reason for disqualification was due to “defects in the notarization” of his affidavit of identity (AOI). Judge Redford’s order said the AOIs filed “cannot serve as a mechanism to exclude them from the ballot.”
West’s campaign announced in June that it had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the Michigan ballot. The campaign submitted more than 26,000 signatures, which is significantly more than the required number.
This recent decision comes as West cleared enough signatures earlier this month to qualify for the ballot in numerous states, including Maine.
West celebrated the court’s decision in a statement, calling it a victory for democracy. He went on to say that his campaign will continue to fight for the rights of all voters.
Although he continues to gain ballot access in several states, West still faces an uphill battle in his bid for the White House. He has struggled to gain much traction and has received about 1 percent in most polling.
This ruling is not just a legal victory—it is a moral victory for everyone who believes in the sanctity of the democratic process. Our campaign submitted over 26,000 signatures, significantly more than required, which the court recognized as a legitimate expression of the people’s will. We are grateful for this affirmation and promise to continue championing the rights of all voters.
West’s campaign announced in June that it had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the Michigan ballot. The campaign submitted more than 26,000 signatures, which is significantly more than the required number. This recent decision comes as West cleared enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in numerous states, including Maine, earlier this month.
Although he continues to gain ballot access in several states, West still faces an uphill battle in his bid for the White House. He has struggled to gain much traction and has received about 1 percent in most polling.
West’s campaign announced in June that it had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in Michigan. The campaign submitted more than 26,000 signatures, which is significantly more than required. This recent decision comes as West clears enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in numerous states, including Maine earlier this month.
A Michigan judge ruled in favor of independent presidential candidate Cornel West on Saturday. The judge overturned a previous decision to keep West off the state’s ballot. The Michigan Bureau of Elections must now place West and his running mate on the ballot if they have submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures. West celebrated the court’s decision in a statement, calling it a victory for democracy.
