Kanye West | commons.wikimedia.org
Kanye West | commons.wikimedia.org
Kanye West filed petitions in Illinois to run as an Independent candidate for President on July 20, minutes before the state deadline, Bernie Schoenburg (@bschoenburg) tweeted that day.
Schoenburg wrote: “Petitions for Kanye West, an independent for president, were filed in Illinois today just minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline. He needs 2,500 valid signatures. There were 412 pages of signatures filed, and people can file objections through next Monday.”
That deadline for objections is July 27.
West announced his intention to run for president on July 5, but it wasn’t until July 15 he submitted the required paperwork regarding his candidacy.
On July 15, the entertainer filed a Statement of Organization with the Federal Election Commission. The statement identifies West as a candidate for President with the "Birthday Party." His Cody, Wyoming ranch is listed as the organization’s address, and names Andre Bodiford as the treasurer for the Birthday Party Committee.
The rapper made the ballot deadline in Oklahoma, but missed the Texas deadline (according to KSAT), although he may still qualify as a write-in candidate.
On July 16, the FEC recorded Filing FEC-1425224, which is also called a Statement of Candidacy or FEC Form 2, in relation to West’s campaign. Like the previous paperwork, it showed a Cody, Wyoming address as for his Principal Campaign Committee, Kanye 2020. It also notes that West signed the form. That form solidified his candidacy under campaign finance rules, but he still has to work to get on ballots in other states.
West told Forbes magazine on July 8 that he has the guidance of Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian, and has already chosen his vice presidential candidate, a preacher from Wyoming named Michelle Tidball.
Even though he has filed paperwork, some wonder if his efforts are legitimate, or if it’s just a publicity stunt – something he denied to Forbes.
Multiple reports out today indicate West visited a Wyoming hospital for anxiety after a Twitter rant focusing on his wife, Kim Kardashian.
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