FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Cornel West for President
[email protected]

[Raleigh, North Carolina] – In a landmark victory for democracy, the Justice For All Party (JFA) has successfully challenged the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) and secured its rightful place on the 2024 general election ballot. This triumph not only signifies a win for JFA but also sets a powerful precedent for all future third-party candidates in North Carolina.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled in favor of JFA, highlighting that the Board’s refusal to certify the party despite it meeting all legal signature requirements was a violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. This decision affirms the fundamental rights of voters to associate freely and ensures their voices are heard through the candidates they wish to support.

"This is a monumental day for our party and for all supporters of a diverse political representation," stated Italo Medelius, co-chair for the state JFA party. "The court's decision to allow our candidates on the ballot is not just a win for JFA but a victory for every North Carolinian who believes in the power of choice and the strength of democracy."

The court also issued an injunction against the NCSBE, instructing them not to enforce the standard candidate nomination deadlines against JFA. This measure ensures that JFA’s candidates will appear on the ballot, maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and supporting democratic principles. "We fought hard against what we perceived as an unjust barrier to our participation in the democratic process, set by a partisan board. Today, we celebrate not only our victory but the preservation of democracy," added Medelius.

This ruling is particularly significant as it paves the way for future third-party and independent candidates running for office in North Carolina, ensuring that the electoral system is fair and equitable. Campaigns will be able to reference this lawsuit if the NCSBE attempts to violate their freedom of speech through ballot access. It is one of the many legacies of this campaign.

The West/Abdullah campaign extends its deepest gratitude to the volunteers and countless supporters who have stood by the party throughout this legal battle. In addition, a special thanks to Oliver Hall and his team at the Center for Competitive Democracy, who took the lead on litigating this case. Recognized as the best election law litigator in the country today, the People of North Carolina were indeed fortunate to have Hall leading this fight. Looking ahead, JFA is more motivated than ever and is gearing up for a vigorous campaign leading up to the 2024 general election. "We are excited to bring our platform to the voters and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of our state and country," concluded Dr. West.

The West/Abdullah campaign has the signatures and minor party nominations it needs to get on the ballot in 16 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 the Justice for All Party

In an effort to directly confront the suppression of voter choice and participation by legacy political parties, Independent candidate for President of the United States, Dr. Cornel West, announced the establishment of the Justice For All Party (JFA). The party will primarily be utilized as a grassroots, people-powered vehicle to secure ballot access in specific states. Additionally, JFA will grow into a larger formation that galvanizes people-powered initiatives to promote transformational change beyond the 2024 election cycle. JFA provides a mechanism for our grassroots campaign to travel a path of least resistance that will require the fewest number of signatures to attain ballot access in states like California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Washington and the District of Columbia.

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].