Cornel West, an independent candidate for president, has been cleared to appear on Virginia’s ballot after the state’s Department of Elections reversed its decision to block him. The department had previously disqualified West due to problems with required forms, but after reconsideration, they have now allowed both West and his running mate, Melina Abdullah, to be included.
West’s campaign explained that the issue arose from a new form requirement that took effect after they had submitted their paperwork. The Virginia Department of Elections admitted that the campaign had not been properly notified of the changes, leading to the reversal.
This decision comes shortly after West’s legal victory in Michigan, where a court ruled that the state had wrongly disqualified him due to technicalities in his petition. West’s success in securing ballot access in multiple states has been a major victory for his independent campaign.
Although Virginia is not considered a major battleground state, some political observers see it as a potential opportunity for Republicans to gain ground. Polls show Vice President Kamala Harris leading President Donald Trump 48% to 44%. With independent candidates like West in the race, Harris’ lead shrinks to 44%, with Trump at 40.5% and West capturing 1%.
West’s presence on the ballot could have an impact on the race, particularly among voters dissatisfied with the two major party candidates.
