Pa. counties can start printing mail ballots after state Supreme Court rules Cornel West can’t join ballot

Pennsylvania counties can begin printing and distributing mail ballots after the Pennsylvania Department of State finalized the list of candidates who will appear on the ballot Monday.

Under state law, Monday was the first day counties could send ballots to voters but that work couldn’t start Monday morning as Cornel West’s attempt to be included on the ballot was still pending before the state Supreme Court.

Monday afternoon the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision that West, who had sought to run for president as a member of the “Justice for All” party, could not be included on November’s ballot.

The Pennsylvania Department of State rejected his candidacy because of missing paperwork, a decision the court affirmed.

West, an academic and left-wing activist, has been trying to gain ballot access in all 50 states as an independent or third party candidate. Matt Haverstick, an attorney who has often worked with Pennsylvania Republicans, is represented West in his attempt to stay on the ballot.

The Green Party’s Jill Stein and the Libertarian Party’s Chase Oliver will be the only third party candidates to appear on the ballot. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed his name from the ballot after suspending his campaign.

Even though West’s candidacy is resolved ballots may not immediately be mailed across the state.

Election offices will need to finalize and print ballots before they are able to distribute them, a process that may not happen at the same pace in every county. Voters should contact their local election office for updates on their ballot.

During Pennsylvania’s April primary, challenges to candidates’ ballot access resulted in a slow printing process in Montgomery County that left some voters receiving their ballots just days before the primary. Montgomery County officials have said they’ve since revamped processes to prevent a similar delay for the general election.

Voters can apply for a mail ballot online or in person at their local election office.

Some counties allow voters to request a mail ballot, receive it, and cast their vote all on the same day at local election offices.

For voters who choose to mail their ballot back rather than hand delivering it to a drop box or election office, election officials across the country have warned that persistent issues at the U.S. Postal Service could cause some ballots to be delayed.

Voters must apply for mail ballots by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 and their ballot must be returned to their election office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, Election Day.