Liberal independent Cornel West and socialist candidate Claudia De la Cruz have been disqualified from the upcoming presidential election in Georgia, and the decision stems from improper paperwork filed by their campaigns.

Despite this disqualification, both candidates’ names will still appear on some ballots that were already printed for the state’s election, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The decision was made by two state court judges, and as a result, notices will be posted at polling places clarifying the disqualification of both candidates.

Improper Paperwork Leads to Disqualification

The disqualification of West and De la Cruz was handed down by two Fulton County Superior Court judges -- Thomas A. Cox Jr. and Emily Richardson. The judges ruled that the electors for both candidates had failed to submit the necessary paperwork in accordance with Georgia state law. This technical oversight prompted their removal from the ballot.

Although their candidacies are disqualified, Georgia officials have already printed ballots with West and De la Cruz's names included. To mitigate confusion, the court mandated that notices must be posted at polling locations, informing voters that any votes cast for these two candidates will not be counted.

Legal Dispute Over Ballot Eligibility

This ruling follows established precedent in Georgia when there are late changes to election candidacies. However, it has triggered an immediate response from both campaigns. Edwin DeJesus, representing the West campaign, has confirmed they intend to appeal the court's decision.

Estevan Hernandez, co-chair of De la Cruz’s campaign in Georgia, echoed this sentiment, stating that they would also appeal the decision. Hernandez criticized the disqualification, claiming it undermined the democratic process by restricting voters' choices. “This is the result of the effort by the Democratic Party to sabotage democratic rights of Georgia voters at the very moment that they say that the 2024 election is about democracy itself,” Hernandez said.

Final Ballot and Remaining Candidates

If the court’s ruling stands, the final ballot in Georgia will be significantly altered. With West and De la Cruz removed, the primary candidates remaining on the Georgia ballot will be former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger holds the authority over ballot matters in the state. Raffensperger had previously intervened in similar cases, notably when an administrative law judge disqualified multiple candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., West, De la Cruz, and the Georgia Green Party. At that time, Raffensperger reversed the disqualification of several candidates, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was ultimately removed after suspending his campaign.

Democratic Party Pushback

Some Democrats have expressed concerns over Jill Stein’s inclusion on the ballot, fearing that she could act as a “spoiler candidate” and potentially pull votes away from Vice President Kamala Harris. Georgia’s political landscape is highly contested, as evidenced by President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in the state in 2020 -- the first time a Democrat had won Georgia since 1996. As a result, the presence of third-party candidates on the ballot is seen as a significant factor in the upcoming election.

Despite these developments, the campaigns of West and De la Cruz are moving forward with their appeals. DeJesus, from the West campaign, remains optimistic, stating in an email, “We are confident that we will win the appeal.”

Raffensperger’s Role in the Ballot Process

Raffensperger’s decision to allow Stein to remain on the ballot, despite the administrative judge’s ruling, was based on Georgia’s state law, which permits candidates who have qualified in at least 20 other states to remain on the ballot. This allowed Stein to remain, while other candidates like Kennedy and De la Cruz were disqualified.

The legal challenges in Georgia are likely far from over, especially with the appeals filed by West and De la Cruz. However, as the November election approaches, Georgia voters will be informed that votes for these two disqualified candidates will not count toward the final result.

Appeals and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Both West and De la Cruz have formally declared their intention to appeal the court's ruling. Estevan Hernandez, co-chair of the De la Cruz campaign, emphasized their commitment to fighting the decision, stating that it directly impacts the democratic rights of Georgia voters. The campaigns argue that this disqualification limits voter choice and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

Georgia’s electoral laws and procedures have faced scrutiny in recent years, particularly as the state has become a critical battleground in national elections. The decisions made in this case could have significant implications not only for the 2024 election but for future campaigns as well.

Conclusion: A Complex Battle for the Ballot

As the 2024 election draws closer, the legal challenges surrounding the Georgia ballot continue to evolve.

Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz, disqualified due to improper paperwork, are appealing the court's decision in an effort to restore their candidacies.

Meanwhile, election officials and party leaders brace for the potential impact of third-party candidates like Jill Stein, as the battle for votes in the state remains fiercely competitive.