Independent Presidential Candidates Face Ballot Access Challenges

Independent presidential candidates face unique challenges when trying to get on the ballot in various states. Unlike major party candidates, independents and third-party candidates often have to gather a large number of signatures from registered voters to secure a spot on the ballot. This process can be particularly difficult due to high signature requirements and limited timelines.

To overcome these obstacles, some candidates have opted to create their own political parties. Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and progressive scholar Cornel West have both established their own parties, We the People and Justice for All Party, respectively, to gain access to state ballots. By running as members of these minor parties, candidates can navigate the ballot access process more easily in states like Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas.

For example, the Kennedy campaign recently announced that they had gathered enough signatures to put the We the People party on North Carolina’s ballot this year. In contrast, running as an independent candidate in the state would require significantly more signatures. While some argue that this workaround is a misuse of the law, others see it as a practical solution to navigate the complex ballot access rules.

Overall, the debate over ballot access restrictions for independent candidates versus minor parties continues. Some argue that these rules are necessary to prevent overcrowded ballots, while others believe it is unfair to make it harder for independents to run for office. As long as these disparities exist, candidates will continue to find creative ways to navigate the system and get their names on the ballot.