Kanye West could be kicked off the presidential ballot in his home state after election officials found irregularities with the signatures.
To make the ballot, West has to file 2,500 valid signatures from Illinois voters. He submitted 3,218 signatures, but a review on Friday found that 60 per cent of them, or 1,928, were invalid.
As a result, the rapper is short of the 2,500 signatures required to be included on Illinois’ presidential ballot.
Invalid signatures could be due to incorrect names and addresses, ineligible voters, illegible signatures, or other issues.
Three people filed objections to the state’s board of elections, according to TMZ.
Friday’s preliminary findings will now go to a hearing examiner, who is assigned to make a recommendation on whether West should stay on the ballot.
That recommendation is expected in about 10 days. Then, the Illinois State Board of Elections votes on the recommendation, likely at its August 21 meeting.
West reportedly spent tens of thousands of dollars to be included on the ballot.
It’s not the only state that’s taking a closer look at his presidential hopes.
Attorney Michael Maistelman has gathered affidavits for the Wisconsin state Democratic Party alleging issues with signatures there.
West is on the ballot in Colorado, which has a lower bar than many states.
There, candidates have to pay a $1,000 fee, and submit notarised statements of backing from nine registered voters in the state.
