Robert F. Kennedy Jr. files with state for Indiana ballot

Indianapolis, Indiana – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial third-party presidential candidate, appears to have gathered enough signatures for the Indiana Election Division to officially recognize his candidacy. As a result, Kennedy is expected to be listed as a Hoosier contender on the November ballot.

Kennedy met the filing deadline of Monday at noon, according to the Indiana Election Division, although it stated that Kennedy’s signatures had not yet been counted.

Kennedy said that on July 1, he sent more than 105,000 signatures on a petition for an independent bid to county election officials—more than the 36,943 required as a minimum. He said that about 39,000 signatures had been verified by officials, putting him on the ballot with Republican and Democratic contenders.

“While canvassing for signatures, 99% of the people I encountered wanted to sign the petition to get Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot,” said Indiana campaign volunteer Dolores Lane in Kennedy’s release. “Indianans are ready to end government corruption and embrace healthy people, healthy food, healthy soils — and the return of our Constitutional freedoms.”

A third-party candidate needs to turn in their signatures to the county election officials by July 1 at noon in order to be eligible. Those petitions are then filed with the Indiana Election Division by noon on July 15 after being certified by the counties.

After reviewing the certifications and tallying the signatures, the election division notifies the Secretary of State of the total number of legitimate signatures. Then, that office decides if a candidate has fulfilled the requirements to be listed on the ballot.

Kennedy and his California philanthropist running mate Nicole Shanahan have successfully applied for access on ten state ballots, filed to appear in fourteen more states (including Indiana), and claim to have the necessary signatures in five more. With 11 from Indiana, the 29 states have a total of 390 electoral votes. To be elected president, candidates must receive a minimum of 270 electoral college votes.

Kennedy failed to make the required number of ballot appearances to be included in the discussion between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden that took place last month.

Kennedy’s FiveThirtyEight polling average is 9%, which is high for a longshot but still significantly lower than Trump’s 42.4% and Biden’s 40.3% polling averages.