RFK Jr.'s VP pick comes amid a big, difficult ballot access push
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce his running mate later this month as part of a bid to qualify for the ballot in every state.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce his running mate this month as he wages a long-shot independent bid for president. And the timing is no accident — his decision is set to come as he needs a running mate to qualify for the ballot in a majority of states, with some of their filing deadlines coming up soon.
Kennedy is attempting to qualify for the ballot in all 50 states, and at least 26 of them require him to file his nomination papers with a running mate named, according to an NBC News analysis of state ballot access requirements.
Qualifying for each state’s ballot is a daunting enterprise that could cost millions of dollars and requires gathering more than 900,000 signatures nationwide.
The campaign has estimated the effort could cost $15 million. Kennedy’s campaign had just over $4.8 million in its account at the end of January, according to a fundraising report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, ballot access deadlines are also fast approaching. They have already passed in North Carolina, Utah and Idaho.
Kennedy’s campaign has said it has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in Utah, as well as New Hampshire, Nevada and Hawaii. The campaign is starting to gather signatures in Texas, as well.
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