Pennsylvania court blocks Cornel West from November ballot

On Monday, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision that barred independent presidential candidate Cornel West from appearing on the November ballot. The ruling supported the secretary of state's office, which found that West's campaign failed to submit the necessary affidavits for 14 of his 19 presidential electors by the August 1 deadline. This decision is part of a broader trend of legal challenges faced by third-party candidates in the state, often influenced by the major parties seeking to protect their electoral interests. With West's exclusion, the ballot will feature Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, alongside Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, who successfully submitted their petitions without facing challenges. The upcoming election is critical, as Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes are highly coveted and could play a decisive role in the overall outcome. Following the court's ruling, county election officials are now able to proceed with preparations for mail-in voting, which includes printing and testing ballots. The process of mailing ballots to voters who have requested them is expected to begin soon, with the deadline for applying for mail-in ballots set for October 29, one week before the election. The court's decision not only impacts West's campaign but also highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding ballot access for third-party candidates in Pennsylvania. As the election approaches, the focus will shift to how these dynamics affect voter turnout and the overall electoral landscape in this pivotal state.