PIERRE, S.D.(South Dakota Searchlight)- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one step closer to being placed on South Dakota’s presidential ballot in November.

Kennedy’s campaign said it submitted roughly 8,000 signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday, the deadline to submit signatures for independent presidential candidates in the state. The campaign had to submit at least 3,502 signatures from registered South Dakota voters, which is 1% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.

Kennedy, along with running mate and California philanthropist Nicole Shanahan, has already gained access to the ballot in 16 states, his campaign said. But his place on the ballot faces legal challenges in some states.

According to the campaign, the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket has collected or submitted signatures for ballot access in 29 additional states, including South Dakota.

Kennedy is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and son of former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. He is the chairman of Children’s Health Defense and has been criticized for spreading misinformation in that role about vaccines.