Any idea why my EBrake light is always on? It stays lit, but when EBrake is actually pulled the light gets brighter.

[kaushav]

So this happened last week. My emergency brake light is always on, but I noticed that when I actually engage the emergency brake, the red BRAKE light gets brighter. This is telling me that the car knows the emergency brake isn't actually engaged. I checked my brake fluid levels and they are topped off. I know I need to change my rear brake pads soon, could that be why? Could the cylinder be pushed out too much turning on the light warning to check the brakes? I'm dumbfounded.
50 pounds to dollars