Democratic-led initiatives to eliminate third-party candidates from ballots in battleground states have sparked criticism, exposing a stark contradiction between their proclaimed dedication to democratic values and their actual actions.
In Georgia, September 13, 2024, saw two third-party candidates, Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz, removed from the ballot after a legal challenge by Democrats. Allegations of paperwork errors were cited as the reason for their exclusion. Green Party candidate Jill Stein, despite facing similar challenges, will remain on the ballot.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger had previously approved the candidacies of West and De la Cruz, only to face legal obstacles from Democrats. Raffensperger has voiced concerns about “partisan activists” interfering with the election process, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring voter rights.
De la Cruz, who had earlier hailed Raffensperger’s decision as a “victory for democracy,” accused the Democratic Party of seeking to limit voter options by blocking candidates who offer alternative viewpoints. She criticized the party’s attempts to suppress competition as a threat to democratic choice.
The controversy over third-party candidates is part of a larger pattern. Democrats have successfully challenged West’s candidacy in Michigan and have also targeted candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., trying to prevent him from appearing on ballots in several states. Despite Kennedy’s withdrawal, efforts to keep his name on key ballots have continued.
Dennis Kucinich, a former Ohio Congressman, has condemned the Democrats’ actions as indicative of a “cartel” mentality, accusing them of manipulating the electoral process to avoid competition and maintain control.
