FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 23, 2024
Cornel West for President
[email protected]

[Augusta, Maine] – The campaign of Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melina Abdullah is pleased to announce a decisive legal victory against the Democrats’ challenge in Maine, ensuring their rightful place on the state's presidential ballot this November.

In a recent ruling, Secretary of State Shana Bellows dismissed the DNC's challenges, which alleged fraud and procedural irregularities in the collection of signatures for Dr. West’s nomination. The court noted, "I have a responsibility to the voters of the State of Maine to ensure that the rights of voters are protected every step of the way from nominating candidates to casting ballots. Our democracy depends upon the free and fair exercise of the constitutional rights of the citizenry." While there may be reason to question signatures obtained by an individual circulator, this did not justify disqualifying the entire slate of signatures, many of which were valid and submitted in good faith by Maine voters.

Secretary Bellows further emphasized, "While other states across the country may direct election officials to exclude voters from duly participating in our elections processes on the basis of scrivener’s quibbles, Maine does not." This principle reflects Maine's commitment to maintaining electoral integrity and ensuring that every valid vote is counted.

Dr. Cornel West responded to the ruling, stating, "This victory reaffirms our moral and ethical consistency, holding up the blood-stained banner of truth and justice. It's a reflection of the power of love overcoming the love of power in our society. We are here to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts." Dr. Melina Abdullah commented, "Today's ruling sheds light on the ongoing efforts to suppress ballot access, particularly targeting the most vulnerable communities. Our campaign challenges these exclusionary tactics head-on, striving to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in a truly democratic process."

Campaign spokesperson Edwin DeJesus remarked, "The West/Abdullah campaign has actively contested these baseless accusations in court and today’s ruling highlights our dedication to maintaining integrity in the electoral process. Ranked-choice voting in Maine demonstrates how alternative voting methods can benefit third-party candidates, offering a model that we advocate extending nationally to empower voters and enrich our democracy."

The West/Abdullah campaign continues to advocate for systemic change, emphasizing the importance of justice, equity, and the power of community. With this victory in Maine, the campaign is more energized than ever to spread its message of truth, justice and love to voters across the United States.

The West/Abdullah campaign has the signatures and minor party nominations it needs to get on the ballot in 18 states. This includes 7 of the battleground states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina. For more info, see our ballot access map.

About Dr. Cornel West

Dr. West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary.

Dr. West is the former University Professor at Harvard University, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and the first Black person to receive a Ph.D. In Philosophy from Princeton University. He has written 20 books and he is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He delivered the historic Gifford lectures at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in Spring 2024.

Dr. West enters the 2024 Presidential contest at a time in which he describes a national crisis of moral bankruptcy and spiritual obscenity driven by a derelict duopoly of both major parties that equally places profits over people and the planet. West asserts that running as an Independent candidate affords him the opportunity and duty to deliver policy prescriptions incorporated by and for the people, instead of political parties beholden to corporations and special interest groups who feel no solidarity with poor and working-class people of all races, gender identities, and age groups.

The Cornel West Campaign to empower poor and working people everywhere stands at a pivotal moment in history, committed to being a true campaign for people around the globe. Our aim is and will always be to unite in solidarity with movements of truth and justice, who seek a choice beyond empire, white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, and the confines of the corporate-dominated two-party system.

About Dr. Melina Abdullah

Melina Abdullah is Professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State LA’s College of Ethnic Studies, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter - Los Ángeles and Black Lives Matter Grassroots, where she is also Director. She is a leader in the California Faculty Association (the faculty union), both locally and statewide, and mama of three. Dr. Abdullah earned her Ph.D. from University of Southern California in Political Science and her B.A. from Howard University in African American Studies. Abdullah has authored numerous articles and book chapters. Known by the moniker, Doc Melly Mel, she is creator, host, and producer of the radio programs Move the Crowd on KPFK 90.7 FM and This Is Not a Drill! on KBLA Talk 1580, and is a recognized expert on race, gender, class, and social movements. In April 2024, Abdullah was announced as vice-presidential pick for Dr. Cornel West in his run for president of the United States on a platform of “Truth, Justice, and Love.” She is the first Muslim to run for the vice-presidency.

Learn more about Cornel West at CornelWest2024.com. 

Learn more about Dr. West’s Policy Pillars at CornelWest2024.com/Platform.

For more details and press inquiries, please contact [email protected].