Wisconsin Supreme Court denies Green Party"s Jill Stein ballot removal

On August 26, the Wisconsin Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from a Democratic National Committee member seeking to remove Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential candidate, from the November ballot. The court's unsigned order stated that the petitioner was not entitled to the relief sought. The argument presented by the petitioner claimed that the Green Party did not meet the legal requirements to field a presidential candidate due to the absence of party representatives in specific state roles. However, the Green Party's attorneys countered that the law does not stipulate that a failure to hold a convention would disqualify a candidate. The Green Party's legal team highlighted that similar circumstances occurred in 2016 when Stein was allowed on the ballot despite the party not holding a meeting at the state capitol. They criticized the DNC for waiting eight years to file the lawsuit, suggesting that the timing was politically motivated. The DNC's spokeswoman expressed disappointment with the court's decision, asserting that the Green Party's violation of election law was evident. This legal battle is part of a broader strategy by Democrats to challenge third-party candidates in multiple states as they aim to secure votes against former President Donald Trump. Stein's previous campaign in 2016 garnered approximately 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, a margin that could be significant in a close election. The court's ruling allows Wisconsin voters to have an alternative choice in the upcoming election, emphasizing the ongoing debate about the role of third-party candidates in American politics and their impact on electoral outcomes.