Don’t expect to see rapper Kanye West on your ballot this November. He disqualified himself with bad paperwork, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Friday morning.
According to LaRose, the signature and information on West’s nominating petition and statement of candidacy did not match the petitions signed by voters who had attempted to place him on the ballot.
“A signature is the most basic form of authentication and an important, time-honored, security measure to ensure that a candidate aspires to be on the ballot and that a voter is being asked to sign a legitimate petition,” LaRose wrote in a statement. “There is no doubt that the West nominating petition and declaration of candidacy failed to meet the necessary threshold for certification.”
Clerical mistakes have cost the "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" musician his candidacy in other states, too — in Wisconsin, he was disqualified for submitting his paperwork late; in Illinois, where he grew up, he failed to accrue the 2,500 valid signatures needed to earn a place on the ballot. West voluntarily withdrew his candidacy in New Jersey after questions arose about signatures on his petition there.
West, formerly a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, launched his own independent campaign on July 4. His campaign filing with the Federal Election Commission identified him as a candidate with the “Birthday Party,” and his stated positions hinge heavily on his Christian faith. His running mate, Michelle Tidball, is a Christian preacher from Wyoming.
The rapper will appear on the ballot in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma and Vermont.
