A Democratic National Committee (DNC) employee has filed a complaint challenging the Green Party’s eligibility to appear on the Wisconsin presidential ballot.

David Strange, the DNC’s deputy operations director in Wisconsin, lodged the complaint, asserting that the Green Party does not have a qualifying state officer to nominate presidential electors, rendering the party ineligible for ballot access in the upcoming election, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The complaint comes as Democrats are working to secure a victory for Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump, with polling showing a close race in Wisconsin.

The complaint highlights that the Green Party has not fielded candidates for legislative or statewide offices in Wisconsin. Additionally, the party has no current incumbent officeholders in the state. This lack of participation, according to the complaint, disqualifies the Green Party from nominating presidential electors, a key requirement for securing a spot on the state ballot.

Previous Legal Challenges Highlight Ballot Access Issues

This is not the first time the Green Party has faced challenges in Wisconsin. Nearly two months before the 2020 election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected the Green Party’s bid for ballot access in a narrow 4-3 ruling.

The decision was significant as there were concerns that the inclusion of Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins on the ballot could siphon votes away from then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

The current complaint follows a pattern of Democratic efforts to limit third-party candidates' influence on tight races. The DNC's actions in Wisconsin are mirrored by similar efforts in other states, such as New York, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was recently denied ballot access.

DNC Targets Third-Party Candidates Nationwide

On Monday, a New York judge ruled against Robert F. Kennedy Jr., denying him a spot on the ballot due to the use of what the judge described as a “sham” address to register to vote. This ruling was part of a broader DNC strategy to remove Kennedy from ballots in multiple states, aiming to minimize his impact on the 2024 presidential election.

Adrienne Watson, a senior adviser to the DNC, commented on the Green Party's situation in Wisconsin, stating that because the party hasn't fielded candidates for legislative or statewide office and lacks any current incumbents, it “should not be on the ballot in November.”

Polling Shows Tight Race in Wisconsin

The timing of the DNC's complaint is critical, as the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is highly competitive in Wisconsin. According to RealClearPolitics, Harris currently leads Trump by 1.8 percentage points in the state when third-party candidates are included. However, in a direct two-way race without third-party candidates, Harris's lead narrows to just 1.2 percentage points.

These slim margins underscore the potential impact of third-party candidates on the election outcome, making the DNC’s efforts to remove the Green Party from the ballot particularly significant.

Green Party's Absence May Benefit Harris

If the Green Party is successfully removed from the Wisconsin ballot, it could benefit Harris by consolidating votes that might otherwise go to a third-party candidate. The DNC's complaint aims to eliminate this variable from the race, potentially giving Harris an edge in a state that could be crucial to the overall election outcome.

The Green Party’s lack of participation in recent Wisconsin elections strengthens the DNC's case. The absence of Green Party candidates in the recent primary and the fact that the party has not run for legislative or statewide office in the state are central points in the complaint.

Implications for Future Elections

The DNC's actions in Wisconsin and other states highlight the ongoing battle over ballot access and the influence of third-party candidates in closely contested elections. As the 2024 election approaches, these efforts may play a significant role in shaping the final results.

Judge Christina Ryba’s ruling in New York against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also reflects a broader judicial trend of scrutinizing third-party candidates’ eligibility, which could have lasting implications for future elections.

Conclusion

In summary, the DNC has filed a complaint to disqualify the Green Party from the Wisconsin presidential ballot, citing the party's lack of a qualifying state officer to nominate electors.

This move is part of a broader strategy to remove third-party candidates from the race, particularly in closely contested states like Wisconsin.

With the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump tightening, the outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for the 2024 election.