Rapper Kanye West missed the deadline to get onto South Carolina’s presidential ballot, a state official confirmed on Monday.
“Kanye West did not submit a petition” before the 12 p.m. deadline, Chris Whitmire, a spokesman for the South Carolina State Election Commission, told The Epoch Times in an email.
State law prohibits write-in votes for president.
West’s only option to get on the ballot is to seek a nomination from one of the 10 certified political parties in South Carolina.
Those include the Alliance Party, the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party.
Parties have until Sept. 8 to certify their candidates.
West, 43, couldn’t be reached for comment. He does not have a campaign website.
The rapper held his first rally on Sunday in North Charleston.
Speaking for about two hours, West spoke about his Christian faith, his decision to move to rural Wyoming, and his ideas about gun violence.
West broke into tears at one point while discussing how his father wanted to abort him.
“My mom saved my life. There would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy,” he said.
West put forward a proposal that would give each pregnant woman $50,000 a year if they have their child.
He also accused the Democratic Party of not supporting black people.
“And the most racist thing that’s ever been said out loud is the idea that if Kanye West runs for president, I’m going to split the black votes,” he said.
West said he would run as the nominee for the Birthday Party, a new party he was forming with businessman Elon Musk.
West qualified to appear on Oklahoma’s presidential ballot.
The rapper and business mogul’s running mate is Michelle Tidball, a preacher in Wyoming, where West bought a ranch.
Most filing deadlines for presidential ballots have passed, but West was hoping the rules might be more flexible because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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