Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirms Cornel West will not appear on state ballots

Academic and activist Cornel West, who is running for president as an independent candidate, won’t be on the ballot in Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court decided on Monday in upholding a lower court’s ruling.

West, 71, was fighting to get his name added to the candidate roster in the battleground state before Pennsylvania begins early voting and mail-in voting in the coming weeks, but his candidacy was challenged by Democrats.

His long-shot bid was rejected from the ballot because the GOP-aligned electors backing his candidacy didn’t meet requirements.

The race between Vice President Harris and former President Trump is tight in Pennsylvania, with both candidates making major plays for the Keystone State’s 19 electoral votes in the stretch to Nov. 5.

According to The Hill / Decision Desk HQ polling average, Harris and Trump are polling neck-and-neck at about 48 percent in Pennsylvania.

The battle over the left-wing candidate had threatened to delay the printing and distribution of mail ballots in Pennsylvania as he sought ballot access as part of the Justice for All party.

West has sought ballot access across the country to mixed results. The Virginia Board of Elections earlier this month ruled that he will be on the ballot, despite questions about elector qualifications.

The Associated Press reported last month on the Republican-driven effort to boost West’s candidacy across states.

West’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

In a Sept. 7 statement about the campaign’s status in Pennsylvania, spokesperson Edwin DeJesus indicated that West could pursue legal action in the federal court system but didn’t elaborate.

“We are prepared to take on the challenges ahead and ensure that Dr. West’s message reaches every corner of the state,” he said. “We believe the federal courts may provide some relief, as the current system unfairly burdens First Amendment rights.”