Independent presidential candidate Cornel West has been granted permission to appear on the ballot in Michigan, a crucial battleground state, following a recent disqualification. The decision was made by Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford, who stated that West's campaign had submitted the required number of signatures for ballot qualification. Additionally, Redford clarified that presidential candidates are not obligated to file affidavits of identity, overturning the Michigan Bureau of Elections' initial disqualification of West due to an improperly notarized affidavit.
Redford dismissed the state's claims regarding the notarization issue and upheld West's eligibility for the ballot. West, known for his leftist academic background and progressive activism, has become embroiled in legal and political disputes as both Democrats and Republicans strategize around potential third-party candidates who could influence the election outcome.
In Michigan, the state Democratic Party, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and a voter supported by a Democratic-aligned political action committee had contested West's candidacy. Benson's office has indicated plans to challenge Redford's ruling.
West's campaign hailed the court's decision as a victory for democratic principles and voter choice, expressing gratitude for the affirmation and pledging to continue advocating for voter rights. The ruling in Michigan came shortly after West faced a setback in Pennsylvania, where he lost a legal battle to secure a spot on the ballot. Additionally, third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently suspended his independent presidential campaign and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump.
