Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has officially met the requirements to appear on his first 2024 presidential election ballot.
According to election officials in Utah, Kennedy met the 1,000-signature requirement to appear on the state’s general election ballot well before the March 5 deadline, and once he files as a candidate, will be included.
The positive news for Kennedy is a sign his campaign isn’t slowing down as the country enters the presidential election year, something that could further complicate the race for President Biden and former President Trump as polls show a likely 2020 rematch.
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Kennedy first launched a campaign for the Democrat presidential nomination in April, but became an independent candidate in October after the Democratic National Committee refused to hold any primary debates.
Recent polls have shown sizable support for Kennedy that draws from voters who would otherwise back Biden or Trump, including in a Fox News poll released ahead of Christmas.
That poll found 41% support for Trump, compared to 37% for Biden and 14% for Kennedy. Independent candidate Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein received 2% and 3%, respectively.
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Another poll released just days earlier found Kennedy actually playing the role of spoiler for Biden’s hopes at winning a second term. His inclusion in the poll grew Trump’s lead over Biden from 2% to 5%, while garnering 16% support himself.
Ballot access requirements vary from state to state, but Kennedy’s allies have vowed to spend millions to ensure he appears on as many state ballots as possible.