A federal judge ruled that Cornel West, the progressive presidential candidate, will not be on Pennsylvania’s ballot, despite acknowledging that Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State Al Schmidt may have violated West’s constitutional rights. The decision, handed down by Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, comes as the election nears, leaving little time for the court to reverse the decision and put West back on the ballot.

The court found that Schmidt’s actions in blocking West from the ballot “unquestionably” harmed West’s First Amendment rights. However, Ranjan pointed out that with the election only weeks away and mail-in voting already underway, changing the ballot at this point would be too disruptive. The judge cited past Supreme Court rulings that emphasized courts should not interfere with state election laws so close to Election Day.

While the court expressed concern about how West’s candidacy was handled, Ranjan emphasized the importance of having clear and settled election rules. Over one million mail-in ballots have been sent out in Pennsylvania, with more than 137,000 returned. Ranjan noted that introducing any changes now would create unnecessary confusion for voters.

The decision also highlighted the challenges minor-party candidates face in Pennsylvania. West’s campaign was required to pay a $4,200 filing fee to get on the ballot, something Republicans and Democrats are not required to do. Ranjan indicated this disparity raises questions about the fairness of Pennsylvania’s election laws and their impact on third-party candidates.

West’s campaign quickly announced plans to appeal the ruling. Spokesman Edwin DeJesus called the court’s decision “a direct assault on voter choice and the democratic process,” emphasizing that Pennsylvania voters deserve to see all candidates on their ballot. He noted that the fight is not just for West but for future independent candidates who may face similar obstacles.

The efforts to keep West off the ballot are part of a larger national strategy by Democrats to block third-party candidates who could siphon votes away from Kamala Harris. Democrats have been particularly active in states like Pennsylvania, where West’s progressive platform may attract voters who otherwise would support Harris. The legal battles are expected to continue as Election Day draws closer.