Robert F Kennedy Jr successfully clears the first hurdle to appear on Utah's presidential ballot.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, an independent candidate and anti-vaccination activist, has successfully secured a place on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, marking his first victory in a state. He collected the necessary 1,000 signatures to gain ballot access. However, he still faces significant challenges to qualify in the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia. Kennedy Jr, who comes from a Democratic political dynasty, originally planned to run for the Democratic Party nomination but withdrew and announced an independent run. His campaign is navigating through varying state rules to get his name on the ballot. While his campaign is being funded with $15 million, it remains uncertain how many more states he will be able to qualify for ballot access. Kennedy Jr is among several independent and third-party candidates seeking to make an impact on the 2024 race, which is already marred by low favorability ratings for major party front-runners Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Kennedy Jr criticized the control major political parties have over the process and expressed his desire to beat Trump fairly in an election that grants everyone a vote. However, while he is polling at around 13% nationally, the impact of his presence on the general election remains uncertain. Some polls indicate that he could draw support from both the left and right, potentially benefiting both Biden and Trump. Nonetheless, Kennedy Jr's campaign lacks a clear focus or rallying issue that has historically marked successful third-party campaigns in the US.