Other than President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden, there is a range of minor contestants who are running for the top job. These include rapper Kanye West, who announced his presidential bid in July. Other candidates include a former child actor, a libertarian and a prohibitionist named Phil Collins, AFP reported.

West announced his presidential bid on July 4, America’s Independence Day. 

“We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION,” he tweeted.

The rapper was an avid Trump supporter, however, the latter downplayed his presidential bid, terming it as a “trial run” for 2024. 

Under the label of the ‘Birthday Party’, he only met the criteria to appear on the ballot in 12 of the 50 states and therefore mathematically has no chance of being elected president. 

However, he is expected to pull a few African American voters from Biden.

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The Libertarian Party, the third political force in the country, is far behind the Democratic and Republican heavyweights.

Defender of individual freedoms, free trade and minimal legislation, it is the only ‘third party’ to appear on the ballot in all 50 states, AFP reported.

Its candidate, Gary Johnson, a former governor of the state of New Mexico, garnered 4.5 million votes in 2016, more than 3% of the popular vote, a record for the party.

This year it is represented by Jo Jorgensen, a 63-year-old psychology professor who polls — at least the few that take into account minor candidates — show could win up to 4%.

Green party’s candidate Jill Stein got 1% of the popular vote in 2016. However, many believe she contributed to the defeat of the then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, in key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, that went to Trump.

The party’s candidate this time is one of its founders, Howie Hawkins.

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The 67-year-old Californian, supporter of universal health coverage, claims to have been an originator of the Green New Deal now embraced by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Colorado and Vermont are the two states with the highest number of presidential candidates on their ballots with 21.

Some are affiliated with parties, such as the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Alliance Party or the Constitution Party, whose candidate, Don Blankenship, spent a year behind bars after a fatal explosion at one of his company’s coal mines.

The Prohibition Party, which favors the return of the prohibition of alcoholic drinks, has a famous namesake: Phil Collins, though he has no relation to the British musician.

Another “celebrity” will run on November 3 as an independent candidate in around 15 states.

Now known for his cryptocurrency activities, Brock Pierce acted in his youth in the films ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘First Kid.’