11 August 2020

Kanye West accuses Wisconsin Democrats of ‘spying’ on his bid to enter race for the White House

US rapper Kanye West has accused Wisconsin Democrats of ‘spying’ on his presidential campaign after they made allegations he submitted forms late and used fake signatures to get on the state ballot.

West accuses them of hiring a private investigator in an ‘organised effort of harassment and intimidation,’ according to TMZ.

In their complaint, Democrats included six affidavits from individuals who claim they were tricked into signing West’s paperwork.

Cheryl Pernell of Milwaukee County said she was asked to sign a piece of paper to confirm she had registered to vote, the paper turned out to be West’s ballot.

“If I had known that, I wouldn't have signed the papers, absolutely not. Kanye West would not get my vote and I think it is a joke that he is running for president,” she said in her affidavit.

And Wanda Thompson, a Milwaukee resident, signed after the person collecting signatures told her he got $1 for every person who signed.

"If he hadn't told me he was getting paid per signature, I would never have signed this nomination paper," she said.

“If the affidavits are true … crimes were committed by the West campaign,” attorney Michael Maistelman, who collected the affidavits, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In addition, another complaint is that the paperwork was filed after 5pm - the deadline to hand in the vital paperwork.

West has also been accused of not listing his address properly and using false signatures. They include a Mickey Mouse and a Bernie Sanders signature.

The complaint will be reviewed by the Elections Commission who will then recommend a decision on West’s ballot to the bipartisan board.

West announced he was running for president on Independence Day but missed the deadline to be included on the majority of state ballots.

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