Now Playing loading...

Despite rumors of dropping out, Kanye West files with the FEC to run for president

by

Pierre Suu/GC ImagesHours after reports claimed that Kanye West would be bowing out of the presidential race, a new development is turning heads because he went and did the exact opposite.  The 43-year-old on Wednesday filed his official bid to run for president with the Federal Election Commission.

TMZ reports the “Stronger” rapper filed the Statement of Organization form to the FEC, the first of two requirements.  West claims he is running under the BDY Party, a.k.a. the Birthday Party.

The second form, which he has yet to file, is Statement of Candidacy.

Also on Wednesday, West secured his name on his first state ballot: Oklahoma’s.

Paul Ziriax, the Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, confirmed West’s eligibility to ABC News on Wednesday, saying, “We received a properly executed statement of candidacy for Kanye West, along with the appropriate filing fee in lieu of petition. Kanye West is now qualified as an independent candidate for President of the United States in Oklahoma and will appear on the General Election ballot.”

West had two options to secure his name on the ballot, either collect 35,592 signatures supporting his campaign or pay the $35,000 filing fee.  He opted for the latter.

The state has one last requirement for West to fulfill to keep his name on the November 3 ballot, which is to name his running partner before the August 19 deadline.

West has the opportunity to appear on at least 32 other states, in addition to the District of Columbia, before their filing deadlines pass. 

Those states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

He’s currently polling at two percent.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Comments are closed.