Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s campaign has taken a major step forward in securing his place on the November general election ballot by submitting signatures to the Texas Secretary of State’s office. His campaign is working diligently to secure his spot on ballots in all 50 states, with Kennedy, Jr. and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, already confirmed to appear on the ballot in several states. Without the backing of an official political party, Kennedy Jr. must petition for ballot access in most states.
Kennedy Jr.’s campaign has gone to great lengths to secure ballot access, including submitting more than twice the required number of signatures in Texas and collecting enough signatures to appear on the ballot in several other states. They have also tried to secure nominations from lesser-known political parties in certain states. In addition, his campaign has filed lawsuits challenging ballot access rules in states like Utah and Maine. The campaign’s strategy has included delaying the filing of petitions until the last minute to avoid challenges from the Democratic Party.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed a complaint against Kennedy Jr. with the Federal Election Commission in February, alleging illegal coordination with the American Values 2024 PAC supporting his candidacy. Kennedy Jr. initially launched his presidential bid as a Democrat before switching to run as an independent, allowing him to continue his campaign regardless of the primary election outcome. Polls show Kennedy Jr. polling at around 10% in battleground states alongside other independent and third-party candidates, as well as the major party candidates.
Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy is seen as potentially drawing more votes from President Joe Biden, despite his family’s Democratic ties, due to his criticism of Covid-19 protocols appealing to Republican voters. A recent poll from the New York Times/Siena/Philadelphia Inquirer showed Kennedy Jr. polling at 10% in a six-way matchup that also included former President Donald Trump, Biden, and other third-party candidates. The close polling between Trump and Biden in battleground states means Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy could have a significant impact on the election outcome.
Kennedy Jr.’s campaign has worked tirelessly to secure ballot access in multiple states, including Texas, Utah, Michigan, California, Delaware, and Oklahoma, with more states to follow. The aggressive strategy and legal challenges have been part of efforts to ensure his name appears on ballots across the country. With his unique position as an independent candidate with ties to both major parties, Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy has the potential to influence the outcome of the election, particularly in key battleground states. As the campaign continues to expand its reach, the impact of Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy on the 2024 presidential election remains to be seen.
Overall, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign is making strides in securing ballot access in states across the country. Despite legal challenges and opposition from the Democratic Party, Kennedy Jr. is pushing forward with his campaign as an independent candidate. With polls showing support for Kennedy Jr. in key battleground states, his candidacy has the potential to impact the election outcome by drawing votes from both major party candidates. As the campaign progresses, Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to secure his place on the ballot and bring his platform to voters will continue to shape the 2024 presidential election.
