RFK Jr. Required to Gather 10,000 Signature to Get on Nevada Ballot

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s bid to secure a spot on Nevada's 2024 general election ballot faces obstacles, potentially impacting a pivotal swing state.

The campaign's collection of over 15,000 signatures for ballot inclusion faces scrutiny due to Kennedy's delay in announcing a running mate.

RFK Jr's running mate reveal hits a speed bump: Independent presidential candidate faces having to get 10,095 new signatures in Nevada because his VP pick was not announced https://t.co/0XbuAL6zCt pic.twitter.com/hSeLi6dGBk

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 25, 2024

Kennedy revealed his vice presidential pick Tuesday from Oakland, California, noting millionaire Bay Area lawyer Nicole Shanahan.

Nevada's Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Mark Wlaschin emphasized the necessity for candidates to designate a vice presidential nominee upon declaring candidacy, as outlined in a March 7 letter to independent candidates.

Kennedy's petition for candidacy in Nevada currently lists only his name. Independent presidential candidates are required to gather 10,095 signatures for ballot access, with signature verification conducted at the county level, according to a spokesperson for the Nevada Secretary of State's elections division.

Amid claims that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is influencing the ballot access process, Kennedy's campaign denounced the situation as corrupt.

Campaign attorney Paul Rossi asserted that Nevada statute does not mandate a vice presidential candidate on the petition and accused the DNC of undermining democratic rights.

The Nevada Secretary of State's Office acknowledged erroneous guidance provided to an independent presidential campaign regarding vice presidential nomination requirements. However, they affirmed that stating a vice presidential candidate is indeed mandated by the rules.

This challenge in Nevada underscores the arduous task for independent candidates to secure ballot access nationwide. Kennedy initially launched his campaign with intentions to vie for the Democratic nomination against President Joe Biden but transitioned to an independent bid in October.

Despite family members' support for Biden, Kennedy's move to run independently requires significant efforts to secure ballot access in multiple states. The campaign has achieved success in Utah and claims to have sufficient signatures for New Hampshire and Hawaii ballot access.

Challenges, including a DNC complaint alleging illegal coordination between Kennedy's campaign and associated super PAC American Values 2024, continue as he seeks ballot access in the 2024 election.