Cornel West, running as an independent presidential candidate, will now appear on Virginia’s ballot after a decision by the state’s Department of Elections to reverse an earlier ruling that had barred him. West and his running mate, Melina Abdullah, received notice of the change on Friday, a victory for the campaign after a previous dispute over paperwork.
West’s campaign explained that the issue arose because they had not been informed of a new form requirement that took effect after July 1, following the submission of their initial paperwork in April. The Virginia Department of Elections acknowledged this oversight and reversed its decision, clearing the way for West to compete in November.
This isn’t the first time West has fought to get on the ballot. He recently won a legal case in Michigan after the state initially disqualified him due to problems with his petition. A Michigan judge ruled in favor of West, allowing him to remain on the ballot in the crucial battleground state.
While Virginia is not seen as a key state in the race, it has been trending Democratic in recent elections. Polls show Vice President Kamala Harris leading President Donald Trump in Virginia 48% to 44%. However, when independent candidates like West are included, Harris’ lead shrinks to 44%, with Trump at 40.5% and West polling at 1%.
As independent candidates gain ground, their presence could influence key states like Virginia.
