Kanye West’s plan to run for president in November as an independent is already destined for failure as he has missed deadlines to add his name to the presidential ballot in six states.
Of the 538 Electoral College votes total, West would already be missing out on 102 of those votes if he were to successfully make his way onto the ballot in other states – as the registration date has passed for North Carolina, Texas, New York, Maine, New Mexico and Indiana.
The 43-year-old rapper announced Saturday night he was running for president in November, even though he vowed in December 2016 – after Donald Trump won
‘We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,’ West tweeted with the hashtag #2020VISION. ‘I am running for president of the United States!’
West would need to move quickly to avoid losing out on 85 more Electoral College votes as seven other states’ deadlines to get on the ballot are coming up this month.
Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia all have July deadlines.
He could, however, run in these states as a write-in candidate. Although, rules for this type of candidacy vary from state to state and in many states do not count or are tallied as part of the ‘other’ category.
The late registration – also the name of West’s 2005 album – would prevent him from standing any real chance against Trump and presumed Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Reality television star and pop culture icon Kim Kardashian West issues her support of her husband’s decision, retweeting his announcement along with an American flag emoji.
Billionaire Elon Musk also said he was behind West’s White House ambitions, tweeting in response: ‘You have my full support!’
Musk and West have a documented friendship – most recently with West posting an image Wednesday of them together.
In 2015 Musk wrote West’s entry in Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people.
West has a fluctuating relationship and support record of Trump.
In 2015, West floated he was considering a run for president, but said he would put off his ambitions until 2024 after Trump won the election.
West has multiple times been pictured in a ‘Make America Great Again’ red cap, including during an Oval Office meeting with the president. He has also tweeted his support of Trump, asserting he would have issued a vote for him had he voted in the presidential election in general.
In December 2016, West met with the president-elect, claiming: ‘I wanted to meet with Trump today to discuss multicultural issues. These issues included bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago. I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change.’
In February 2017, West changed his tune, deleting all of his tweets about Trump, as reports revealed the rapper disliked the new president’s policies – specifically the travel ban.
Some are accusing West’s supposed 2020 presidential hopes of being a publicity stunt to promote his new single ‘Wash Us in the Blood’ and the recent announcement of an upcoming album ‘God’s Country.’
West also announced in June he will be bringing a version of Yeezy fashion line to Gap stores.
Besides potentially missing the boat on earning his way onto the ballot in a handful of states, West would also need to register with the Federal Election Commission to make his candidacy official.
Registering with FEC has no deadline, but it appears West has still not done so, according to its public records. (Daily Mail)
