In November, Americans will most likely choose between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump for president. Could they also vote for ‘Literally Anybody Else?’
Who is ‘Literally Anybody Else?”
A 35-year-old school math teacher from the southern US state of Texas has formally changed his name to Literally Anybody Else and is gathering signatures to run as an independent candidate in the November presidential election.
“My name is ‘Literally Anybody Else’ and I’m running for president of the United States,” he recently told the WFAA network in Dallas.
Else, formerly known as Dustin Ebey, is opposing the American election system, which has only elected members of the Republican and Democratic parties as presidents for the past 150 years.
“We don’t have an outlet to say, ‘We’re done, we’re tired, we need something fresh,'” Else, who is an army veteran, said in the interview. “Out of 300 million people, we can do better.”
Although independent candidates may appear on the US presidential ballot, the political system strongly favors a two-party campaign.
“People are voting for the lesser of two evils, not someone they believe in or support,” Else said. “People should have the option to vote for someone who resembles and represents them, not the lesser of two evils. I reject that.”
“I’m not delusional”
The contender is already out campaigning wearing a T-shirt that reads “Literally Anybody Else 2024.” To be put on the Texas ballot, he must collect approximately 113,000 signatures from supporters who did not vote in the presidential primaries.
Barring a surprise, the November 5 election will feature a rematch between Biden and Trump in what polls predict to be a close battle.
Getting on the ballot in Texas, and possibly other states, would be a massive undertaking.
“I’m not delusional. This will be very hard to do, but it’s not impossible,” Else said of his chances of ending up on the ballot. “My hope is to have Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and then Literally Anybody Else right underneath.”