The US Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Nevada Green Party’s request to reinstate its presidential candidate, Jill Stein, on Nevada’s 2024 general election ballot. This decision upholds a ruling by the Nevada Supreme Court that bars Stein and the Green Party from appearing on the ballot.
The issue arose when the Nevada Secretary of State’s office provided the party with an incorrect petition form missing a required affidavit. The affidavit was meant to attest that signature gatherers believed signers were registered voters. Despite gathering the necessary signatures, the missing affidavit prompted the Nevada Democratic Party to challenge Stein’s candidacy, arguing flawed paperwork. Stein’s campaign contended that state officials provided faulty instructions, but the Nevada Supreme Court refused to intervene.
The Green Party’s attorney, Jay Sekulow, argued to the US Supreme Court that barring Stein from the ballot violated constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. He emphasized that the party followed state instructions and should not suffer due to an “unfortunate mistake.”
The Nevada Democratic Party countered that the missing affidavit was significant and served as a safeguard against fraud. Nevada’s Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, who initially did not take a position, later opposed the Green Party’s request, citing concerns over altering the ballot at this stage.
The Supreme Court declined to vacate the Nevada court’s ruling without recorded dissents, providing no rationale as is customary in emergency cases. Following the decision, the Nevada Green Party issued a statement claiming that the decision undermines public trust and impedes a fair election in Nevada. They expressed dissatisfaction, noting that military and overseas ballots are already being printed and mailed, confirming that Stein’s name will not appear on the upcoming ballot.
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