Kanye West has taken another major step in his bid to become the next president of the United States.
The artist, 43, is now eligible to appear on the presidential ballot in Oklahoma, after fulfilling the criteria prior to the filing deadline.
In a tweet, the Oklahoma State Election Board reported that independent presidential candidate West has qualified for the state’s general election ballot.
“Independent presidential candidate Kanye West has qualified for the General Election ballot in Oklahoma. (Today is Oklahoma’s deadline for Independent & Unrecognized Party presidential candidates to file statements of candidacy with their petitions or filing fee.).”
Independent presidential candidate Kanye West has qualified for the General Election ballot in Oklahoma. (Today is Oklahoma's deadline for Independent & Unrecognized Party presidential candidates to file statements of candidacy with their petitions or filing fee.)
— Oklahoma State Election Board (@OKelections) July 15, 2020
Oklahoma Board of Elections spokeswoman Misha Mohr said a representative for West filed the requisite paperwork and paid the $35,000 fee Wednesday afternoon which was the deadline for a spot on the state’s Nov. 3 presidential ballot.
He was one of three independent candidates for the presidency to pay the filing fee before the deadline, she said. The other two were Jade Simmons concert pianist, and Brock Pierce, a crypto-currency entrepreneur.
That comes after TMZ announced that on Wednesday, July 15, West had filed the first form required by the Federal Election Commission to run for president. He filled out “Form 1, Organizational Statement” declaring that he will run with his party BDY
The paper also noted that Kanye West also needs to file the larger Form 2, which is: Candidacy Report, which indicates that he has earned or spent more than $5,000 in campaign activity and triggers candidacy status under federal campaign finance law.
There are also questions regarding his 2020 presidential campaign, though, as the rapper has already missed the deadline in some states to apply for the ballot.
