Independent Candidates for President File Paperwork

Riley Vetterkind, @email

MADISON, Wis. – Four independent presidential candidates filed signatures and paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission by today’s 5 p.m. deadline to request their names be placed on the ballot in Wisconsin for President of the United States for the Nov. 5 General Election.

Under Wisconsin law, independent presidential candidates can get on the ballot by filing a minimum of 2,000 valid signatures of Wisconsin electors on nomination papers, as well as a Declaration of Candidacy form for both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Cornel West and his vice-presidential pick Melina Abdullah filed their paperwork on Thursday, Aug. 1. Claudia De la Cruz and her vice-presidential pick Karina Garcia turned in paperwork on Monday, Aug. 5. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his running mate Nicole Shanahan filed their paperwork today, Aug. 6. Shiva Ayyadurai and running mate Crystal Ellis also turned in paperwork today.

Copies of filed nomination papers will be available after staff have performed their review on the WEC’s data website, Badger Voters: https://badgervoters.wi.gov/

WEC staff will be reviewing petitions to determine their sufficiency and to ensure candidates meet all ballot qualifications. All are currently in pending status and have not yet been WEC certified for the General Election.

The deadline to file a nomination paper challenge to an independent candidate for president is Friday, Aug. 9.

The Commission plans to meet virtually in open session on Aug. 27 to consider each candidate’s paperwork, any nomination paper challenges filed, and approve placement on the ballot for independent presidential candidates.