Judge bars Kanye West from appearing on Arizona’s ballot

A judge has barred Kanye West from appearing on v. 3 ballot in Arizona, concluding that a voter who challenged his candidacy had shown he would probably prevail and had established possibility of an irreparable harm if rapper’s name were to appear on ballot.

ruling Thursday by Judge Scott McCoy said that voter who challenged West’s bid in Arizona “established that relative hardships favor him.” Putting West on ballot would create confusion for voters, his lawyers argued.

decision came a day after West’s campaign turned in nearly 58,000 minating signatures, well over 39,000 needed to appear on Arizona ballot. Over last 10 days, more than 120 people living in or states have registered in Arizona as paid signature garers for West, who anunced his presidential campaign on July 4.

West has already qualified to appear on ballot in several states, including Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Tennessee and Utah. He didn’t qualify in Ohio, Montana, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and or states, though he has filed lawsuits challenging some of those decisions.

Earlier this week, Arizona resident Rasean Clayton filed a lawsuit for West to be barred from appearing on ballot. lawsuit accused rapper of serving as an election spoiler and argued that state law barred him from running as an independent candidate because West is a registered Republican.

West’s lawyers said ir client’s status as a registered Republican in Wyoming was irrelevant to getting on Arizona ballot. y said when West filed federal election paperwork, he listed his political party as “BDY,” an abbreviation for Birthday Party.

Despite those claims, Clayton’s attorneys said West remains a registered Republican. y also said nearly all of West’s electors — who would cast electoral college votes if he were to win — were Republicans until y changed registrations to independent on Monday and Tuesday.

Clayton’s attorneys said lawsuit had to be resolved quickly because deadlines for printing ballots are approaching.

Arizona faces a Sept. 8 deadline for printing ballots for Maricopa, Pima and six or counties. Ballots for remaining counties must be produced by Sept. 9.

It’s unclear wher Clayton has any connections to Democratic Party. He said in a statement that he filed legal challenge to West’s campaign because he didn’t want voters to be confused by seeing unqualified candidates on ballot.

Attorney Tim LaSota, who represents West in Arizona challenge, has brushed aside criticism that West is trying to be a spoiler aimed at hurting Democratic minee Joe Biden’s chances in Arizona. He said Clayton’s lawsuit was aimed at denying voters a choice.