RFK Jr., on march to get on the ballot as an independent, flirts with Libertarian Party

LAS VEGAS — Attendees of a Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. rally over the weekend in Las Vegas were met at the doors by people with clipboards soliciting signatures to get the independent presidential candidate on the Nevada ballot.

Anyone going to an upcoming Kennedy event should expect the same.

As an independent candidate, which he became when he defected from the Democratic Party in October, Kennedy is not guaranteed a spot on any state's ballot, forcing volunteers to gather signatures from ordinary Americans on street corners and college campuses, among other public places — and at Kennedy's own events.

It is a meticulous process made more difficult by each state's unique minimum-signature requirements and windows for obtaining the signatures.

It is also expensive: the pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values is dedicating 70% of its cash to helping Kennedy access the ballot in 12 states, the group's founder Tony Lyons told ABC News. The campaign, which cannot legally coordinate with the super PAC, is spearheading ballot access in the other states.

So far, Kennedy has secured ballot access in just one state: Utah.

Kennedy, though, could end the need for all the effort by re-joining a major political party, which would earn him a place on every state's ballot.

He fueled speculation about a potential partnership with the Libertarian Party when he told CNN last week that he and the officials from the Party «are talking.»

Libertarian Party Chair Angela McArdle confirmed the conversations in an interview with ABC News, but said their frequency has decreased in recent months.

«I maintain a good relationship with Bobby Kennedy and his team,» McArdle told ABC News.

However, she acknowledged the former Democrat has some work to do to convince