Cornel West, the independent presidential candidate, faced disqualification from the Michigan ballot for the upcoming general election, leaving his campaign at a standstill.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections stated the disqualification stemmed from improper notarization of his candidate affidavit, violating state law.
Challenges were brought forth by Mark Brewer, a seasoned elections lawyer, who filed complaints about West's affidavits of identity, alleging they contained critical errors.
Included among these complaints was evidence of fraudulent signatures on West's qualifying petitions, raising questions about the integrity of his campaign.
West's campaign did not respond to requests for comment from the Advance following the disqualification announcement.
Following the ruling, Clear Choice Action, the organization challenging West's petitions, emphasized the importance of candidates adhering to election rules, stating, "Candidates who play by the rules should be on the ballot, but Cornel West is blatantly not playing by the rules," according to Pete Kavanaugh, the organization’s founder.
Kavanaugh criticized West's campaign, alleging significant financial backing from Republican dark money groups, which he claimed violates campaign finance laws.
The letter from the Michigan Bureau of Elections detailed specific failures concerning notarization and the omission of necessary information, which invalidated West's affidavit.
The notary public's stamp was reported to be on a separate piece of paper, contributing to the overall invalidation of his filing.
Other prominent candidates vying for election include Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, former President Donald Trump for the Republicans, along with independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
West’s disqualification arrives at a critical juncture as Michigan could play a pivotal role during the 2024 election season.
The state's director of elections clarified, “Accordingly, pursuant to MCL 168.558(4), the Department is required by law to disqualify you from the Nov. 5, 2024 general election ballot,” citing errors present within his timely submission.
West is not only facing difficulties with his Michigan candidacy; he also confronts accusations of insufficient qualifying signatures through litigation stemming from local activist complaints.
Although West plans to appeal the decision, state law prohibits him from resubmitting corrected documentation after the disqualification.
Election officials informed West's team they had five days to challenge the ruling, but their previous failure to respond to earlier notifications appeared to affect their current situation.
West’s campaign advisor responded to the allegations, claiming these procedural errors are being exploited to distort discussions focused on their policies.
Edwin DeJesus stated, “The charges… are trivial technicalities being weaponized to distract from substantive policy debates,” pushing back against the claims of wrongdoing.
Michigan law outlines stringent requirements for candidates submitting affidavits as well as deadlines; candidates must file petitions before 4 PM on the 110th day before elections, which this year was on July 18.
Despite these complications, Cornel West remains on ballots across several states, including Utah, Colorado, South Carolina, and Alaska, marking some victories for his campaign.
Recently, West’s party, Justice for All, successfully gained ballot access in North Carolina, though the Michigan decision looms over his broader ambitions.
His criticisms of the Biden-Harris administration, especially concerning their approach to the Israel-Palestine crisis, resonate with some left-leaning voters who appreciate West's candor.
Michigan holds significance as home to many voters concerned about U.S. policies on Israel, potentially offering West support from those communities.
Recent polling indicated West hasn't managed to consolidate significant support, with attention mostly focused on the traditional two-party candidates.
Polling data from the New York Times and Siena College reflected dismal results for West, indicating no voters expressed intent to support him, with Jill Stein trailing at just one percent among registered voters.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found slightly better results, polling at five percent among Michigan voters.
With the race for the presidency heating up, the future of Cornel West's campaign hangs precariously on the challenges he faces prior to the elections.
His disqualification from Michigan’s ballot encapsulates the legal and procedural hurdles third-party candidates often confront, highlighting the contentious dynamics of American electoral politics.
