Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making a push to secure his place on the November general election ballot by submitting signatures in Texas and working to achieve ballot access in all 50 states. His campaign submitted over 245,000 signatures in Texas, more than double the required amount, and has already secured spots on the ballots in several other states, including Utah, Michigan, California, Delaware, and Oklahoma. Kennedy Jr. and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, have collected enough signatures to also appear in New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio.
As an independent candidate, Kennedy Jr. must petition for ballot access in most states without the support of an official political party. He has attempted to get on the ballot in some states by seeking nominations from lesser-known parties such as the Natural Law Party of Michigan and the American Independent Party in California. Additionally, his campaign has filed lawsuits challenging ballot access rules in states like Utah and Maine. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign has also been strategic in filing petitions last minute to avoid challenges from the Democratic Party, according to campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear.
In February, the Democratic National Committee filed a complaint against Kennedy Jr. with the Federal Election Commission, alleging illegal coordination with the American Values 2024 PAC backing his candidacy to secure ballot access. Kennedy Jr. initially launched his presidential bid as a Democrat but later switched to run as an independent. Polls are divided on whether Kennedy Jr., known for his criticism of Covid-19 protocols, would draw more votes from Biden or Trump. He is currently polling at around 10% in a five-way matchup in six battleground states, which could potentially sway the outcome of the race as Trump and Biden are polling within single digits of each other.
Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy has the potential to impact the race between Trump and Biden, especially in battleground states, where his presence could draw votes away from either candidate. Despite being a member of the prominent Democratic family, Kennedy Jr.’s stance on certain issues has resonated with Republican voters. His entry into the race as an independent candidate has raised concerns within the Democratic Party, leading to efforts to discourage him from running. Overall, Kennedy Jr.’s campaign is aiming to secure his spot on the ballot in all 50 states to ensure he has a chance to compete in the upcoming presidential election.
