Green Party Kicked Off PA Ballot, Mail-Ins Will Now Go Out

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania voters will have one less choice for president when they cast their ballots on Election Day this fall, as the state Supreme Court has ruled that the Green Party candidates must be removed from ballots due to paperwork errors.

The controversy was the last issue holding up the disbursal of mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, which can now be sent out, officials said.

The Green Party's candidates, Howie Hawkins and his running mate Angela Walker, were also removed from the ballot in Wisconsin earlier this week due to similar procedural issues.

The Democratic-leaning Supreme Court voted 5-2, with five Democrats in favor of removing the pair and two Republicans against it. The dissenting opinion argued that the Green Party should be given a chance to fix any clerical errors.

Specifically, the decision handed down by the court claims that the Green Party did not comply with the specifics of the state's Election Code in filing an affidavit to nominate Hawkins and Walker. They had originally nominated Beth Scroggin and Neal Gale, but replaced them in nominating paperwork originally filed in August.

The challenge to remove the Green Party was brought forth by a pair of Pennsylvania Democrats, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer: Lawrence County Democratic chairman Paul Stefano and Wilkes-Barre city council candidate Tony Thomas.

Just a week ago, a lower court ruled that Hawkins, but not Walker, could appear on the ballot due to the error. The Supreme Court shifted course Thursday following an appeal of that ruling.

The Green Party of Pennsylvania attributed the challenge to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party at large.

"It is clear that we submitted sufficient ballot signatures to be on the ballot. Angela Walker should be listed on the ballot alongside myself," Hawkins said in a statement. "Democrats are causing needless delay and disruption."

In 2016, Green Party candidate Jill Stein earned 49,941 votes in Pennsylvania, accounting for 0.8 percent of the total. Another third party candidate, Libertarian Gary Johnson, earned 146,715 votes, or 2.4 percent. Donald Trump ultimately defeated Hillary Clinton by just over 44,000 votes in the Keystone State.

Joe Biden holds a 4.3 point lead over Trump in an average of recent polls in Pennsylvania, according to RealClearPolitics. It's a lead that's shrunk notably in recent weeks, when there was about an eight point gap in late July.

SEE ALSO: Key 2020 Voting Deadlines in Pennsylvania