The clock is ticking for the independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to qualify for next week’s presidential debate hosted by CNN. Kennedy’s campaign must prove no later than 11:59 p.m. Wednesday that he has enough votes statewide and meets a specific polling threshold to participate, but that appears unlikely. go out.
The cable network requires participating candidates to be legally qualified to run for president — pursuant to Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution — in addition to filing a formal application for candidacy with the Commission on Elections Federal election. Chairperson Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both cleared the bars—and so did the candidates West Cornel, Jill Steinand RFK Jr.
The network also requires debaters to appear on enough state ballots to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency and to receive at least 15% in four separate national polls approved distinction of registered or likely voters.
Since early June, Kennedy’s team has claimed that he has enough votes to get on the ballot in enough states to take the stage. But the numbers don’t add up.
For months, Kennedy had been searching for a strategy on how to get votes across the country, and each state had specific election laws regarding independent candidates. Typically, those trying to assimilate have two options: gather enough signatures to get the petition on the ballot or be nominated by an established political party in the state. Kennedy tried both.
As reported by The Washington Posta “survey of state election officials shows Kennedy is not on the ballot in several states where he has claimed — and he will not make it by Thursday’s deadline.”
Election officials in Utah, Delaware, Oklahoma, Michigan and Tennessee have confirmed Kennedy’s place on the ballot, and CNN has included California and Hawaii, where Kennedy is poised to be a minor-party candidate. There are a total of 100 electoral votes. He also has yet to meet the voting requirements.
A map tracking ballot efforts on Kennedy’s campaign website highlights 23 states as “Completed Petitions” and declares that independent candidates are eligible to receive 310 electoral votes . The “We’re voting” message pops up when clicking on a highlighted state. However, as a spokesperson for the New York Election Commission Kathleen McGrath Talk to parcel“’Petition is complete’ is correct, the statement below, ‘We are voting’ is premature.”
Kennedy campaign spokesman Stefanie Spear Talk to parcel that even questioning a candidate’s failure to meet the requirement of 270 electoral votes is “pointless.”
The June 27 debate in Atlanta will be the first time Biden and Trump have faced off since the fall of 2020. Kennedy, who claimed his brain was partially eaten by a worm and died, later said he could eat five more brainworms and “still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate”—really wanted to be there.
While Biden and Trump must also meet CNN’s polling and electoral vote prerequisites, it’s a little different for them. A CNN spokesperson clarified, as presumptive nominees for both of their parties, most states would automatically allow them access to the ballot without the need to file a petition. .
In May, Kennedy’s campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that CNN, Biden and Trump colluded and committed “flagrant violations” of the law to keep Kennedy out of office. stage.
The campaign calls on the FCC to act before the Thursday deadline, according to a June 18 press release, which also states that “CNN and every member of CNN is participating in the planning, execution and organization of the competition.” These arguments are at risk of being attacked. prosecute. “This risk,” the release continued, “is now very serious as any further violations would be willful and willful, and could therefore result in significant prison sentences.”
“The bottom line is that he is eligible to receive more electoral votes than both President Trump and Biden,” Spear wrote in an email to parcel.
For the candidates who will take the stage next week, CNN has also implemented some other rules.
The 90-minute debate was hosted by CNN Jake Tapper And Dana BashAccording to the network, there will be muted microphones and no studio audience, as part of the moderators’ efforts to “use all the tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion”. There will be no introduction and no pre-written notes will be allowed. Each candidate will be given a pen, notepad and a bottle of water on his podium, chosen by flipping a coin.
While CNN said Saturday that it was “not impossible” for Kennedy to meet the guidelines, time is running out. And for RFK Jr., this is personal.
“President Trump and Biden are colluding to push America into a direct confrontation,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “They are trying to exclude me from the debate because they are afraid I will win.”
