Dr. Cornel West, an independent candidate running in the 2024 presidential election, recently received exciting news that he and his running mate, Dr. Melina Abdullah, qualified for the ballot in Virginia’s general election. The Virginia Department of Elections sent a letter to West’s campaign, informing them of the decision to include their names on the ballot after initially denying their ballot access due to issues with the necessary forms required for submission in the commonwealth.
The letter, exclusively obtained by CBS News, stated, “After review, the Department of Elections has reconsidered its decision not to qualify Drs. West and Abdullah, and their names will appear on the ballot.” This reversal came after challenges surrounding the validity of their elector forms, according to sources within West’s campaign.
The Department of Elections clarified in the letter that the campaign had submitted paperwork in April but was unaware of a new form requirement introduced after July 1 regarding the electors’ citizenship and residency. In response to the news, the West-Abdullah campaign confirmed their receipt of the letter and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to be included on the Virginia ballot.
A spokesperson for the campaign stated, “Virginia voters will now have the opportunity to choose a candidate, Dr. Cornel West, who represents their values.” With this development, Dr. West joins a diverse group of candidates on the Virginia ballot, including former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, Independent Claudia De la Cruz, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Notably, Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy removed his name from the ballot in Virginia after suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump.
While Virginia may not be considered a battleground state by CBS News, the Trump campaign has made efforts to compete in the commonwealth by hosting multiple campaign rallies. President Biden’s victory in Virginia by 10 points in 2020 sets a precedent for the upcoming election. In addition to Virginia, Dr. West and Dr. Abdullah will also feature on the ballots of crucial battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Georgia, potentially influencing the presidential race’s outcome.
Unfortunately, the West-Abdullah campaign faced challenges in other states, such as Arizona, where they failed to meet the necessary paperwork deadline, and Nevada, where they missed the signature submission deadline. Pennsylvania denied the campaign ballot access following a legal dispute that revealed deficiencies in the affidavits of 14 out of 19 presidential electors.
Despite these setbacks, the West-Abdullah campaign remains resilient and determined to press forward. A campaign spokesperson mentioned their intention to file a federal court complaint to address the issues faced at the state level, emphasizing the importance of protecting First Amendment rights and seeking relief through the federal court system.
As the campaign navigates these obstacles, they continue to advocate for their platform and engage with voters across the country. Dr. West’s presence on the ballot in multiple states underscores the campaign’s commitment to providing voters with a diverse range of choices and perspectives in the upcoming election.
In the midst of a highly contested political landscape, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melina Abdullah’s inclusion on the Virginia ballot represents a significant milestone in their quest to bring their vision and values to the forefront of the national conversation. With the election drawing closer, the West-Abdullah campaign remains focused on connecting with voters, addressing challenges, and advocating for a better future for all Americans.
