Cornel West, the scholar and activist running for president as an independent, cannot run in Pennsylvania elections, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday, upholding a lower court ruling.
West, 71, had been fighting to have his name added to the battleground state's roster of candidates before Pennsylvania begins early and mail-in voting in the coming weeks, but his candidacy was challenged by Democrats.
His chances of winning were slim, but Republican electors who supported his candidacy did not meet the requirements and were therefore removed from the ballot.
The battle between Vice President Harris and former President Trump is intensifying in Pennsylvania, with both candidates making big moves to vie for the Keystone State's 19 electoral votes in the election that runs until November 5th.
Harris and Trump are neck and neck in Pennsylvania, with support at around 48%, according to The Hill/Decision Desk polling average.
The fight over the left-wing candidate, who is campaigning for voting rights as a member of the Justice for All party, threatened to delay the printing and distribution of mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.
West has campaigned across the country for the right to vote with mixed results, and the Virginia Board of Elections ruled earlier this month that he could vote despite questions about his eligibility.
Associated Press Reported last month on the Republican-led effort to boost West's candidacy statewide.
West's campaign did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.
In a Sept. 7 statement about the status of the campaign in Pennsylvania, spokesman Edwin DeJesus suggested West may file a lawsuit in federal court but did not provide details.
“We are ready to rise to the challenges ahead and ensure that Dr. West's message reaches every corner of the state,” he said. “The current system unfairly burdens First Amendment rights, and we believe the federal courts will provide some relief.”
