A federal judge has ruled that Cornel West will appear on the North Carolina ballot, overturning a previous decision by the state board of elections. The ruling came after supporters of West’s Justice for All Party challenged the board’s denial of the party’s ballot access.
Last month, the state board of elections had rejected the Justice for All Party’s bid, claiming that the party had misled voters into signing its petition. However, Judge Terrence Boyle determined that the board’s decision lacked proper justification and issued a preliminary injunction to allow West’s party on the ballot while the case continues.
Cornel West’s supporters celebrate court ruling granting Justice for All Party ballot access in North Carolina
Legal Challenge Overruled: Cornel West Affirmed for North Carolina BallotBoyle criticized the board for not using the appropriate standards to assess the validity of the party’s petition signatures. He noted that the board’s approach was overly broad and dismissive, resulting in the disenfranchisement of over 17,000 North Carolina voters who supported the party.
The challenge against JFA was initially brought by Clear Choice Action, a group with Democratic ties that has contested third-party ballot access across the country. West’s supporters argue that Democratic board members relied on misleading evidence from this group to reject the application.
JFA North Carolina co-Chair Italo Medelius praised the court’s decision, calling it a vital win for the party and for democratic representation. He emphasized that the ruling supports the broader principle of voter choice and democratic strength.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is currently reviewing the judge’s decision.
