Michigan
Independent presidential hopeful Cornel West gets on Michigan ballot; legal fight not over
Lansing — Independent presidential candidate Cornel West was certified Monday to appear on Michigan’s ballot even as litigation is working its way through court challenging his eligibility.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 to certify the liberal activist, author and academic for the Nov. 5 general election ballot despite allegations that circulator signatures had been forged in the sample examined by the Bureau of Elections.
Attorney Mark Brewer, who is representing a voter challenging the signatures, said he planned to appeal Monday’s decision. A separate appeal already is pending in the Court of Appeals challenging West’s eligibility based on alleged deficiencies in his affidavit of identity.
“The board of canvassers just put a forger on the ballot,” Brewer said after the three-hour meeting Monday.
At issue in Monday’s meeting were questions about the signatures of the individuals circulating the nominating petition that voters signed to get West on the ballot.
Brewer listed seven circulators whose signatures he said were forged, pointing to differences in handwriting among the different pages signed by the circulators.
Michigan’s elections bureau, which had determined there were enough signatures and had recommended certification, said the procedures they had in place did not require or set out a process for comparing circulator signatures. But even if it were the case that those circulator signatures were fraudulent and their sheets thrown out, West would still have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, state Elections Director Jonathan Brater said.
Brewer had maintained that between the circulator challenges and challenges against individual voter signatures, there were enough for West to fall short of the threshold needed for certification.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections had disqualified West earlier this month because of problems with the way West’s affidavit of identity was notarized.
Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford on Saturday overruled the bureau, arguing that West was not required to file an affidavit of identity in the first place because he submitted the requisite number of legitimate signatures.
The decision was appealed Sunday to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com
Georgia Tech Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt has accepted a position with Michigan State University.
The schools confirmed on Monday that Batt will serve as vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics in Lansing.
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Georgia Tech says it will begin a national search for its next athletic director.
“J has made a remarkable impact in a short time,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “His vision and leadership elevated our athletics program — on the field, in the classroom, and across the national landscape. From fundraising and facilities to academic and competitive success, his legacy will be felt for years to come.”
This is a developing story. We’ll have the latest reaction on Channel 2 Action News.
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Michigan State football has added to the 2026 recruiting class, landing a massive priority target in the first weekend of official visit season.
Englewood (CO) native Braylon Hodge has made his commitment to Michigan State, cancelling his remaining official visits. The Spartans beat out Iowa, Minnesota and Utah for the 6-foot-3, 210 pound linebacker. He is a highly rated 3-star, ranking as an 88-rated player on 247Sports, and the No. 44 linebacker in America.
Hodge has been a rapidly rising prospect in the region, and he almost certainly will be someone that is going to see his stock continue to rise as he continue to show off his ability with his size. Getting him to commit is a massive win for the Spartans.
He is the first defensive commitment for Michigan State in the 2026 recruiting class, and comes at a massive position of need.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
More than 100 runners participated in the third annual Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K at Granger Meadows Park in Lansing to support veterans across Michigan.
- More than 100 runners participated in the third annual Soles for Vets Memorial 5K at Granger Meadows Park in Lansing to support veterans across Michigan.
- The event raises funds for Footprints of Michigan, which provides free shoes to veterans, and the organizer, Geronimo Lerma, emphasized the growing impact and community support for the cause.
- Watch video below to learn more about how the “Sole Train” bus helps veterans in need and hear personal stories from participants, including a veteran who benefited from the program.
The event raises money for Footprints of Michigan, an organization that provides free shoes to veterans throughout the state.
WATCH VIDEO
Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K raises funds for Michigan veterans’ footwear
Geronimo Lerma, executive director of Footprints of Michigan, highlighted the growing impact of the annual fundraiser.
“It’s a wonderful event that grows every year to see the people come out and support not just veterans, but the program itself. We travel all over the state of Michigan to help as many as we can yearly, so it helps out tremendously,” Lerma said.
The organization operates what they call the “Sole Train” bus, which travels across Michigan distributing shoes to veterans in need.
Roni Perkins, a veteran who participated in the race, shared how the program has personally benefited her.
“Every Veterans Day, I’m able to come in and pick up a pair of running shoes and then meet a lot of people in the community that are like me – veterans,” Perkins said.
Organizers hope to expand the event next year to assist even more veterans throughout Michigan.
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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