Facing a tight deadline, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is striving to meet the requirements for the upcoming presidential debate on June 27th. As an independent candidate polling higher than any third-party hopeful since Ross Perot, Kennedy needs to achieve 15% or more in four national polls and secure ballot access in states that total at least 270 electoral votes. According to CNN, while he has met the polling criteria in three surveys, his confirmed ballot access currently stands at only 89 electoral votes. Kennedy’s team asserts they have collected enough signatures for 292 electoral votes, but verification delays in some states pose a challenge.
Kennedy has accused the campaigns of Donald Trump and Joe Biden of manipulating the rules to block him from participating in the debates. Despite his campaign’s efforts, the slow verification process might prevent him from qualifying in time. Only two other third-party candidates, Libertarian Chase Oliver and presumptive Green Party nominee Jill Stein, have met the electoral vote requirement but neither has reached the necessary polling threshold. CNN has also outlined that the debate will have a 90-minute duration, limited commercial interruptions, and restrictions on candidate-staff interactions during breaks.
Kennedy argues that the stringent rules are a concerted effort to prevent a strong third-party contender from disrupting the traditional two-party system. His campaign remains hopeful but acknowledges the difficulty of meeting the stringent criteria within the given timeframe. Should he fail to qualify, it would mark a significant setback for his campaign, which has otherwise gained considerable momentum.
The first debate, set to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, will feature moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who are expected to enforce strict rules to maintain order. CNN has emphasized that candidates’ microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak, aiming to prevent interruptions and ensure a fair discussion. The second debate, scheduled for September 10th, will be hosted by ABC.
