The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge against Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's inclusion on the state's ballot for the 2024 election.
This decision ensures that Stein will remain a voting option for Wisconsin residents in the upcoming presidential race. The Associated Press reports that the court's refusal to consider the case effectively maintains the current ballot lineup in this crucial swing state.
The challenge, brought forth by David Strange, an employee of the Democratic National Committee, sought to remove Stein from the ballot. Strange argued that the Green Party lacked the necessary state-level representation to nominate presidential electors in Wisconsin. However, the court's decision not to hear the case means that the original ruling by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which granted the Green Party ballot access, will stand.
Democrats have expressed apprehension about the presence of third-party candidates on the ballot, fearing they could potentially divert votes from Vice President Kamala Harris and inadvertently benefit Republican candidate Donald Trump. This concern is particularly acute in Wisconsin, where narrow margins have decided recent presidential elections.
The state's political landscape has been characterized by extremely close contests, with four of the last six presidential elections in Wisconsin being determined by margins ranging from approximately 5,700 to 23,000 votes. This historical context underscores the potential significance of third-party candidates in influencing election outcomes.
In the 2016 election, Stein garnered over 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, exceeding Trump's winning margin of just under 23,000 votes. This previous performance has led some Democrats to attribute Trump's victory in the state and, subsequently, the presidency partly to Stein's presence on the ballot.
The challenge against Stein's ballot inclusion centered on the argument that the Green Party lacked the necessary state-level officeholders or legislative candidates authorized to nominate presidential electors. Both the Green Party and Republicans countered this claim, maintaining that the party had fulfilled all legal requirements for ballot access.
Stein celebrated the court's decision, viewing it as a victory against what she termed the Democratic National Committee's "attack." Michael White, co-chair of the Wisconsin Green Party, echoed this sentiment, characterizing the complaint as a manifestation of fear from the Democratic Party.
Jill Stein stated, "Today justice prevailed. We beat back the DNC's attack."
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is slated to convene on Tuesday to certify the candidates eligible to appear on the ballot. This process is not without additional controversies, as challenges have also been lodged against other candidates.
Democrats are contesting the inclusion of independent candidate Cornel West on the ballot. Conversely, a Republican National Committee employee has challenged the candidacy of another independent, Shiva Ayyadurai.
These ongoing disputes highlight the complex and often contentious nature of ballot access in a state where every vote can potentially tip the scales in a presidential election.
In conclusion, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision not to hear the challenge against Jill Stein ensures her place on the state's 2024 presidential ballot. This ruling maintains the Green Party's presence in a crucial swing state where narrow margins have decided past elections. The decision comes amidst ongoing debates about the impact of third-party candidates on election outcomes and occurs as the state prepares to finalize its ballot for the upcoming presidential race.
