The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has released a per curiam decision compelling state election officials to introduce US Representative Dean Phillips onto the state’s Democratic presidential primary ballot.
In its ruling, the court referred to the discretionary privileges the Wisconsin law gives to the ballot selection committee to determine if candidates are “generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States.” Accordingly, if a candidate meets this standard, the committee is bound to place them on the ballot.
The court concluded that the committee had “erroneously exercised its discretion” as it only sought to list President Joe Biden on the ballot, with no discussion or consideration for any other candidate. This led to the subsequent order for the committee to additionally include Phillips on the ballot, due to the impending primary.
In the presidential primary ballots scheduled for April, Phillips will appear alongside Biden, representing the Democratic party. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin ballot for the Republicans will feature former President Donald Trump among others.
Phillips responded to the ruling, stating, “The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ruling is the second time that Biden’s state party allies have had their anti-democratic, improper conduct reversed. The first was by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.” Earlier this year, Massachusetts disclosed the candidates to be listed on its ballots, inclusive of Phillips, Marianne Williamson, and Biden.
This development marks another significant decision by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin ahead of the 2024 elections. Back in December, the court declared that the state legislature’s assembly district maps were unconstitutional as per the Wisconsin Constitution and issued an order for new remedial maps to be drawn up for the upcoming elections.