The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recent decision to keep Green Party candidate Jill Stein on the ballot could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential race. Democrats had sought to remove Stein, fearing her candidacy could draw votes away from Kamala Harris and inadvertently aid President Donald Trump in a state critical to both campaigns.
Stein’s presence on the ballot is a reminder of the 2016 election when she played a spoiler role, winning more votes than Trump’s margin of victory in Wisconsin. For Democrats, the fear is that history could repeat itself, with progressive voters choosing Stein over Harris, weakening the Democratic ticket and paving the way for another Trump win.
The legal challenge against Stein centered on claims that the Green Party did not meet eligibility requirements for the ballot, but the court ruled that these concerns were not sufficient to justify removing her. Stein responded to the ruling by accusing Democrats of trying to undermine democracy by limiting voter choice, a narrative that could resonate with voters frustrated by the two-party system.
Stein’s platform, which emphasizes issues like climate change, anti-corporate policies, and social justice, may appeal to left-leaning voters who feel Harris and the Democratic Party are not progressive enough. For Trump, every vote that Stein pulls away from Harris increases his chances of winning Wisconsin, a state he narrowly carried in 2016 but lost in 2020.
The court’s decision ensures that Wisconsin voters will have more options on the ballot, but it also adds uncertainty to an already tight race. As the election approaches, both parties are likely to keep a close eye on whether Stein’s candidacy swings the state one way or another.
