Independent candidate Christopher Gambino's spot on the Nov. 3 ballot is again in question after an appeal reached the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Philadelphia election attorney Adam C. Bonin filed the appeal Sept. 3 on behalf of Lloyd Randall Faulkner, a voter in the 143rd Legislative District, Central Bucks Now reported. The district includes New Britain Township's east and west districts along with parts of upper Bucks County.

Commonwealth Court Judge Lori Dumas had ruled in Gambino's favor, concluding he retained at least 491 valid signatures after disputed ones were removed. He needed 488. Commonwealth Court posted its memorandum opinion Sept. 4.

The appeal now centers on circulator declarations attached to Gambino's nomination papers. The original filing alleged Gambino signed as circulator on petition pages that had been circulated by others. Gambino has maintained the circumstances did not amount to fraud or misconduct serious enough to warrant his removal from the ballot.

Gambino filed under the political body name "Forward Independent." He is endorsed by the state Forward Party. If he remains on the ballot, he would face Republican incumbent state Rep. Shelby Labs and Democratic nominee Tim Hayes, Dublin Borough Council president, in the general election.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) lists the 143rd as a target race backing Hayes, according to the Bucks County Beacon. Gambino has accused Democratic interests of trying to drain his campaign's resources and limit voter choice. Bonin has disputed that characterization and questioned Gambino's claims of political independence, PoliticsPA reported.

One of the two original challengers, Michael Herman, withdrew from the case Aug. 28. Faulkner is continuing alone.

After the Commonwealth Court win, Gambino told the Bucks County Beacon on Aug. 26: "It confirmed what we knew to be true, real people signed to get an independent on the ballot."

Counties face ballot-preparation deadlines ahead of the general election, and the Supreme Court is expected to move on an expedited schedule, Central Bucks Now reported. No ruling date has been set.