Wisconsin’s Supreme Court dealt a blow to Democrats by rejecting their attempt to remove Green Party candidate Jill Stein from the 2024 presidential ballot. Democrats are concerned that Stein could siphon enough votes away from Kamala Harris to help President Donald Trump secure a victory in this crucial swing state.

Stein’s presence on the ballot is particularly concerning for Democrats, given the 2016 election when her candidacy attracted over 31,000 votes in Wisconsin. That same year, Hillary Clinton lost the state to Trump by just under 23,000 votes. This history has left Democrats wary of a repeat scenario where disaffected liberals or left-leaning voters choose Stein instead of Harris, ultimately tipping the scales in Trump’s favor.

The court’s decision came after the Democratic National Committee filed a petition arguing that the Green Party was not eligible for the ballot due to technicalities regarding state officeholders. However, the court dismissed the case, noting that the petitioner failed to establish the grounds for Stein’s removal. Stein celebrated the ruling, framing it as a victory against what she described as the Democratic Party’s “war on democracy.”

Stein’s platform, which focuses on climate action, workers’ rights, and anti-war policies, appeals to a specific set of progressive voters who may be disillusioned with Harris’s more centrist positions. For Trump, even a small percentage of votes shifting to Stein could be enough to secure Wisconsin’s electoral votes, which could be critical in the path to reaching 270.

With Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes hanging in the balance, Stein’s continued presence on the ballot could become a major factor in deciding the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.