Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a significant step in his presidential campaign as an independent candidate by declaring the establishment of his own political party in six states. This strategic move is aimed at easing the process of getting his name on the ballot with a reduced requirement for voter signatures compared to that needed for an unaffiliated candidate.
Forming the “We the People” Party
Mr. Kennedy, renowned for his environmental activism and more recently as an anti-vaccine activist promoting conspiracy theories and right-wing misinformation, has set out to establish the “We the People” party in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, and North Carolina, along with the “Texas Independent Party.”
Officials in several states have confirmed receiving the campaign’s applications for the new party, with North Carolina and Hawaii election offices, and the Texas secretary of state’s office acknowledging the receipt. Although California and Delaware did not provide immediate responses, a spokesperson for the Mississippi secretary of state mentioned that the filing could not be immediately confirmed due to a weather-related disruption.
Reduction in Signature Requirement
The formation of parties in these six states will play a crucial role in reducing the number of signatures required by Mr. Kennedy to secure ballot access in all 50 states. This move is estimated to cut the previous total by 330,000, approximately a third of the initial requirement.
Challenges and Requirements
Although this development presents a significant advantage, there are still challenges along the way. In California and Delaware, Mr. Kennedy will need to persuade a minimum number of voters to register with the party to attain ballot access, with approximately 75,000 in California and around 770 in Delaware. Additionally, North Carolina and Hawaii require registered voters’ signatures to finalize the party’s formation, with at least 13,865 in North Carolina and at least 862 in Hawaii. In Texas, Mr. Kennedy will need around 81,000 individuals to participate in precinct conventions for his party to secure a line on the general-election ballot.
Current Ballot Access
Despite these challenges, Mr. Kennedy has already secured a confirmed spot on the ballot in one state, Utah, after successfully collecting the required 1,000 signatures.
Supportive Efforts
In addition to Mr. Kennedy’s campaign initiatives, a super PAC supporting him has expressed its intention to spend over $10 million to facilitate ballot access in 10 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Texas. Notably, two of these states appear to be covered by the party formation filings, potentially streamlining the process in these regions.
Tapping into Voter Discontent
Mr. Kennedy’s decision to pursue an independent route follows his initial challenge against President Biden for the Democratic nomination. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll indicated that nearly 25 percent of voters were considering him, reflecting deep discontent with the prospects of a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. While many of these respondents also indicated their likelihood to support one of the front-runners, the significant consideration for Mr. Kennedy highlights the dissatisfaction within the electorate.
Conclusion
The launch of the “We the People” party in six states and the strategic efforts to secure ballot access represent a pivotal juncture in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign. As the political landscape continues to evolve, his bold move reflects a concerted effort to engage with the electorate and provide an alternative amidst the prevalent discontent with the existing political choices.
