Cornel West Campaign Claims Eligibility for Up to 501 Electoral Votes

The Cornel West campaign announced this week that it has secured ballot access or recognized write-in status in enough states to potentially earn 501 electoral votes in the 2024 election. However, the actual number may be lower than the campaign’s claims.

In a press release on Wednesday, the West campaign listed 25 states and Washington, D.C., where it has filed for recognized write-in status or where he is automatically eligible as a write-in candidate. Additionally, the campaign named 19 states where West and his running mate, Dr. Melina Abdullah, will appear on the ballot or are expected to, pending the results of challenges and final certification from state election divisions.

“We are officially on the ballot or eligible for write-in across states totaling 501 electoral votes! My dear brothers and sisters, this represents not just a mathematical path but a profound moral opportunity to reshape the presidency. With 270 needed to win, we are well on our way to making history together! Let’s keep pushing with love and justice at the forefront!” West said.

According to the campaign, states awaiting final confirmation for ballot access include Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, and Mississippi. The campaign also anticipates securing ballot access in Louisiana, as well as in Pennsylvania and Virginia, pending “successful legal resolutions.”

As of this article, the campaign successfully defended West’s Michigan ballot access after a recent Appeals Court ruling, though Richard Winger of Ballot Access News noted that state Democrats might challenge the ruling in the Michigan Supreme Court. West has also rebuked a challenge in Wisconsin and was placed on the Georgia state ballot by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

However, the campaign has also faced several setbacks in states it counted towards its total possible number of electoral votes, including Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The combined electoral votes of the three states amount to 62 votes this election cycle.

A list of candidates published by the Florida Department of State last month did not include West, who had been nominated by the Natural Law Party. Independent Political Report later learned through Richard Winger that West’s presidential elector candidates lacked the voter registration affidavit numbers required by the state.

The campaign was also blocked from the Virginia ballot after failing to correctly file the necessary paperwork. Additionally, the West lost a legal challenge to appear on the Pennsylvania ballot last month after it was found a majority of his electors lacked the required affidavits. It’s not known what the West campaign means by “legal resolutions” in Virginia and Pennsylvania, nor how it intends to secure access in Florida.

A full list created using previous coverage of the West campaign and information from other records and news sources is below: