Kanye West won't be on the ballot in November in Wisconsin after WEC vote
Kanye West
MADISON - Kanye West will not be on the November ballot in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Elections Commission ruled 5-1 Thursday, Aug. 20 his paperwork was filed late.
WEC staff recommended Tuesday that West be kept off the battleground state’s presidential ballot in November because he missed a deadline to submit nomination papers.
The staff determined that West and running mate Michelle Tidball missed a 5 p.m. deadline on Aug. 5, the last day for independent presidential candidates to submit the required 2,000 signatures of Wisconsin voters to get on the ballot.
West tried to get on Wisconsin’s ballot as a third-party candidate. Staff reviewed his nominating papers and found 2,422 valid signatures.
The commission, split 3-3 between Republicans and Democrats, met Thursday to decide if West would get on the ballot.
Democrats have alleged Republicans are pushing West’s candidacy in several states to siphon votes away from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Wisconsin is expected to be a key swing state in the race after President Donald Trump narrowly won the state in 2016.
Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson released the following statement after Thursday's WEC vote:
“Wisconsin Democrats successfully fought to deny ballot access to an African American because he was seconds late with his paperwork, but they want to override Wisconsin law by delaying the deadline to accept absentee ballots because six weeks of ballot harvesting may not be enough for them to win. Let that sink in.“The left wants to clear any liberal competition for Democrats, while ensuring a Libertarian is on the ballot to siphon votes from Republicans. Democrats are only interested in voter enfranchisement if they believe they will benefit. If they don’t benefit, they don’t care.”
Related
Wisconsin Elections Commission staff recommends denying ballot access to Kanye West; vote Thursday
Wisconsin Elections Commission staff recommended denying ballot access to rapper Kanye West in Wisconsin for the 2020 election Tuesday, Aug. 18 ahead of a Thursday vote on the issue.
Related
At least 2 in Wisconsin challenge Kanye West's presidential nomination papers
Rapper Kanye West's attempt at getting on Wisconsin's presidential ballot was challenged to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Related
Milwaukee County leaders: Kanye West on the ballot in Wisconsin is GOP's 'latest dirty trick'
Milwaukee County leaders held a news conference Thursday "to denounce the Trump campaign and the Republican Party’s cynical ploy to place Kanye West on the ballot in Wisconsin."