Arizona Woman’s Name Sparks Curiosity as She Questions: What’s an Elector in Cornel West’s Campaign?

Efforts to manipulate the electoral process are emerging nationwide, primarily fueled by conservative activists. In Arizona, Denisha Mitchell found herself unwittingly signed up to serve as an elector for independent presidential candidate Cornel West. Shocked by the revelation, she expressed confusion about the role and affirmed that the paperwork was forged.

“The crazy thing is it was all forged. None of it was my handwriting,” Mitchell told The Associated Press. “My email was wrong, my address was wrong.” Her case highlights the questionable tactics being employed to influence West’s ballot qualifications across various states.

West, a left-wing academic, appears unaware of these maneuvers, as his campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Dennis K. Burke, a former U.S. Attorney in Arizona, emphasized the legal ramifications, stating, “If you produce information that is false on filing to a government entity in Arizona, you’ve committed a felony.” The integrity of the electoral process is under threat as this election cycle intensifies.

Speculation surrounds the efforts by Republicans and associated operatives aiming to position West as a spoiler candidate. Their strategy may dilute liberal voter support for Vice President Kamala Harris in crucial battleground states, potentially impacting the outcome by only a few thousand votes.

While specifics about the puppeteers remain unclear, West’s lack of active campaigning raises further questions about his candidacy. As of June, his campaign reportedly found itself nearly $17,000 in debt. Mitchell, realizing her name was misappropriated, plans to file an affidavit to clarify that she never consented to serve as an elector.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Among West’s proposed electors is Elizabeth Rothgeb, who has a criminal history linked to manslaughter. Two other electors were also found not registered to vote at their listed addresses, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the slate.

Mitchell’s disappointment stems from the discovery that Republican-aligned operatives were orchestrating these maneuvers. Previously enthusiastic about West’s progressive platform, she and her husband rescinded support upon learning of the partisan ties. “We weren’t for the Republican griminess, so we stopped pushing him,” she remarked.

The company responsible for gathering signatures for West on Arizona’s ballot, Wells Marketing, has connections to Mark Jacoby, a Republican operative with a questionable reputation. Jacoby has faced allegations of voter registration fraud and has been involved in similar controversial campaigns in the past.

In other states, similar patterns have emerged. Pro-Trump activist Scott Presler mentioned gathering signatures for West, labeling him a “far-left Marxist” during a rally. Evidence suggests deeper Republican engagement with West’s campaign, including the involvement of employees from Blitz Canvassing, a GOP-affiliated firm.

The tactics of exploiting ballot access are not new in Arizona, known for closely contested elections. Recently, a leader of Turning Point Action faced allegations of forgery in his reelection bid, highlighting the ongoing struggles for electoral integrity.

As the presidential election draws nearer, scrutiny over these actions will only escalate, raising critical questions about the consequences for democratic processes. The ultimate impact of these manipulations remains to be seen, but their existence paints a troubling picture of electoral integrity in 2024.

For ongoing election updates in Arizona, stay tuned to Arizonanews.org.