Kanye West
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Kanye West Is Officially on the Presidential Ballot in Oklahoma
West has reportedly paid the required $35,000 filing fee and submitted a statement of candidacy.
Nearly two weeks ago Kanye West announced he’d be running for president this year, now the 43-year-old rapper will appear on Oklahoma's ballot.
A representative for West submitted paperwork in Oklahoma on Wednesday to qualify him to run as an independent candidate in November, according to People. A spokeswoman for the state’s election board shared he paid the required $35,000 filing fee and submitted a statement of candidacy. Wednesday was the deadline for candidates to file in Oklahoma to appear on November’s ballot.
Additionally, on Wednesday, West’s team allegedly filed a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission with the name Kanye 2020. Per People, the form notes the office West is seeking as the presidency. His political party reads as “BDY,” or the Birthday Party which is his new party that was shared during his latest Forbes interview.
\u201cIndependent presidential candidate Kanye West has qualified for the General Election ballot in Oklahoma. (Today is Oklahoma's deadline for Independent & Unrecognized Party presidential candidates to file statements of candidacy with their petitions or filing fee.)\u201d— Oklahoma State Election Board (@Oklahoma State Election Board) 1594849213
Andre Bodiford is named treasurer of West’s committee. According to an FEC spokesperson, West hasn’t filed a statement of candidacy with them. Under federal law, this would make him an official presidential candidate. That same spokesperson tells People West is required to file the previously mentioned form "within 15 days of raising or spending more than $5,000 in federal campaign activity." Only time will tell if manages to do so.
Though West’s campaign made Oklahoma’s deadline, they did not manage to meet Thursday’s deadline for Florida, a battleground state. Unsurprisingly, a Redfield & Wilton poll points out West has 2% of the vote at the moment.
A previous New York Magazine report declared the mogul had dropped out of the presidential race. The lengthy report included a firsthand account from Steve Kramer who is known for spearheading campaigns. Kramer shared he'd been hired to help West get on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina and that 180 people were reportedly on the ground working on the campaign. West's team didn't respond when asked for an update and following this Kramer reportedly shared West was out of the race. This was when news of West leaving the race began making headlines.
As of 8:30 a.m. this morning, West's campaign is still going strong as he's announced he's registered to appear on the presidential ballot in Oklahoma.
