Kanye West Could Face Election Fraud Investigation

Kanye West could be facing an election fraud investigation after hundreds of suspect signatures were found in nominating petitions for the presidential ballots in New Jersey and Illinois, according to reports.

West withdrew his petition to get on the New Jersey ballot just hours before a hearing that was going to examine its validity after bogus names and other problems were found with signatures he submitted. Now White House correspondent April Ryan believes the controversy could set West up for an election fraud investigation.

"Two states declaring #KanyeWest inelligible to be on #POTUS ballot due to faulty signatures could open him up to an #ElectionFraud investigation," she wrote in a tweet Sunday. "I would imagine other states where reported GOP operatives assisted him to get on the ballot will soon be reviewing. #Election2020."

As part of his petition to get onto the ballot in New Jersey, West submitted 1,327 signatures to the state of Division of Elections, however, over 700 signatures came into question earlier this week by election lawyers, NJ.com reported. Shortly after, West’s campaign withdrew his petition.

"At this time, Kanye 2020 has no further option than to regrettably withdraw from New Jersey and cease further efforts to place Mr. West’s name on the New Jersey ballot," wrote West’s campaign in the email to Judge Gail Cookson.

In his home state of Illinois, West was required to submit at least 2,500 signatures by the cutoff date of July 20, but it was determined by a local hearing officer that only 1,200 of those signatures were valid, reported WTTW. A hearing officer will present the determination to the Illinois State Board of Elections on Aug. 21, according to the outlet.

Ed Mullen, a lawyer challenging West's nomination petitions noted on Twitter that the rapper was "virtually certain to be kicked off ballot in IL."

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