Kanye West files to appear on ballot in Louisiana

Rapper Kanye West has filed paperwork to appear on presidential ballot in Louisiana in vember.

West's filing Friday, just ahead of deadline, lists himself as a candidate for “ Birthday Party” along with vice presidential running mate, Michelle Tidball, Advocate reported. Including West, at least 11 third-party or independent presidential candidates filed to appear on Louisiana ballot by Friday’s 4:30 p.m. deadline.

rapper anunced his independent bid last month in a tweet on Independence Day after publicly tossing around idea for years. His campaign submitted papers to Federal Election Commission to run less than two weeks later. But West’s campaign has struggled to meet deadlines to make it onto ballot in several or states, including Wisconsin . Filing deadlines in six states had already passed by time West anunced his bid.

Louisiana officials did t immediately review filing. Unlike or states, Louisiana does t require independent candidates to obtain thousands of signatures on a minating petition to appear on ballot. A candidate may instead pay a $500 filing fee.

Advocate reported that a phone call to number listed on filing went unanswered. West’s filing listed a post office box in Cody, Wyoming, as campaign’s address. Tidball, a self-described “biblical life coach,” is from Wyoming, and West owns a mansion and 1,400-acre ranch in state.

West’s request to appear on ballot includes a list of eight Louisiana residents who’d serve as would-be electors at electoral college were rapper to win presidential vote in state. ne appeared to have an active history in Louisiana politics. Six of m were listed as Republicans; or two listed mselves as unaffiliated with any party, newspaper reported.

In or states, Republican operatives and vocal supporters of President Donald Trump have worked to boost West’s candidacy and secure his spot on ballot. Critics contend West’s last-minute run — and apparent GOP support it’s received — is a ploy to swipe votes from Democratic presidential minee Joe Biden, especially in key swing states. Trump carried Louisiana in 2016 election by nearly 20 percent points.