Cornel West is back on Michigan’s presidential ballot, judge rules

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West must appear on the ballot in the battleground state of Michigan, a judge ruled about a week after West was disqualified. Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford wrote in a decision released Saturday that West’s campaign submitted the proper number of signatures to qualify for the ballot and that presidential candidates are not required to file affidavits of identity. The ruling came after the Michigan Bureau of Elections informed West on Aug. 16 that he would not be certified because the affidavit of identity he submitted was not properly notarized.

Quick Read

• Independent presidential candidate Cornel West must appear on the ballot in Michigan, a judge ruled after West was previously disqualified for allegedly failing to submit a properly notarized affidavit of identity.
• Judge James Robert Redford of the Court of Claims ruled that West’s campaign submitted the correct number of signatures required for the ballot and noted that presidential candidates are not obligated to file affidavits of identity, countering the Michigan Bureau of Elections’ earlier disqualification.
• The Michigan Bureau of Elections had disqualified West on August 16 due to issues with his affidavit, but the judge dismissed the state’s claims about improper notarization, allowing West back on the ballot.
• West, a progressive activist and academic, is a long-shot presidential candidate facing legal battles as both Democrats and Republicans navigate the potential impact of third-party candidates on the upcoming election.
• The Michigan Democratic Party, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and a voter supported by a Democratic-aligned PAC had all challenged West’s candidacy, fearing it could affect the electoral outcome.
• Benson’s office has indicated plans to appeal the judge’s decision, aiming to challenge West’s reinstatement on the Michigan ballot.
• West’s campaign celebrated the ruling, calling it a “decisive victory for democratic principles and voter choice,” and promised to continue advocating for voter rights.
• This ruling in Michigan followed a legal loss for West in Pennsylvania, where he was denied a spot on the ballot, and coincided with third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspending his independent campaign to endorse Republican Donald Trump.

The Associated Press has the story:

Cornel West is back on Michigan’s presidential ballot, judge rules

Newslooks- LANSING, Mich. (AP) —

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West must appear on the ballot in the battleground state of Michigan, a judge ruled about a week after West was disqualified. Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford wrote in a decision released Saturday that West’s campaign submitted the proper number of signatures to qualify for the ballot and that presidential candidates are not required to file affidavits of identity. The ruling came after the Michigan Bureau of Elections informed West on Aug. 16 that he would not be certified because the affidavit of identity he submitted was not properly notarized.

Redford also rejected the state’s findings that West’s affidavit was incorrectly notarized. West, a leftist academic, progressive activist and long-shot presidential candidate, is at the center of multiple legal and political battles as Democrats and Republicans seek to use the impacts of third-party candidates who could take support from their opponents. Republican allies in states such as Arizona have sought to keep West on the ballot amid Democratic fears he could siphon votes from Vice President Kamala Harris.

In Michigan, the state Democratic Party, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and a voter backed by a Democratic-aligned political action committee had challenged West’s candidacy. Benson’s office plans to appeal Redford’s decision, a spokesperson said.

West’s campaign called the opinion a “decisive victory for democratic principles and voter choice.” “We are grateful for this affirmation and promise to continue championing the rights of all voters,” West said in a statement.

The Michigan court opinion came a day after West lost a legal challenge to appear on the Pennsylvania ballot. It also came one day after third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent campaign for the White House and endorsed Republican Donald Trump.

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