When voters in Georgia hit the polling stations this November, they might see more than just the familiar names Biden and Trump on their ballots. Independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, alongside Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, have all submitted the required petitions by Tuesday's deadline to potentially join the fray, according to a report by WABE. With each having gathered at least 7,500 signatures, the Secretary of State's Office is now tasked with the validation of these signatures.
Meanwhile, Green Party hopeful Jill Stein is charting a different course toward Georgia's ballot; her campaign has relayed the intent to qualify via a state election law route which allows parties ballot access in Georgia if they've managed to secure it in 20 other states. This alternate deadline looms on August 23, 2024, with a spokesperson confident in meeting the requirement. With them having earned more than 1% of the statewide vote previously, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver has already secured a spot on the ballot.
With the election horizon drawing nearer, Georgia has witnessed several campaign stops from third-party contenders keen on making their presence felt. Edwin DeJesus, a spokesman for West, emphasized in a statement obtained by WABE the shift from ballot access to voter turnout initiatives. "Georgia is a key focus for our campaign, especially as we aim to connect with Black voters who may be disenchanted with the Democratic Party," DeJesus said. They are investing in grassroots connections with community organizers and faith-based leaders aligned with their mission to provide an alternative to the entrenched party system.
The inclusion of third-party candidates in the Georgia race has potential implications, as suggested by current polling. The latest figures from Real Clear Politics show Trump ahead of Biden by an average of 4 points in a two-person race. However, the introduction of Kennedy, West, and Stein into the mix widens Trump's lead over Biden to 5.3 points. It's unclear yet if their campaigns will steal thunder or votes from the primary contenders, but Emory University's political science professor Andra Gillespie noted in a WABE report the power these third-party candidates could wield. She mentioned, "Assuming that these candidates qualify for the ballot, they could be in a position to play spoiler in this election." Gillespie pointed out the importance of considering the margins, particularly if they fall within the low 10,000s, allowing for a situation where third-party vote totals could have helped the losing candidate bridge the gap with the victor.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}