Despite his claims, Colorado says Joe Exotic isn’t on state’s presidential ballot

DENVER (KDVR) – Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known widely as “Joe Exotic,” said he had filed the paperwork to appear on the 2024 Democratic presidential primary ballot in Colorado. The state, however, said Tuesday that isn’t the case.

The 60-year-old former zookeeper was the subject of the popular Netflix documentary “Tiger King,” which was released in 2020. He is currently serving a 21-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted in a murder-for-hire plot.

Earlier this month, Maldonado-Passage announced he would run his campaign from prison, and that the necessary notarized statement of intent and a nonrefundable $500 filing fee had been filed for him to appear on Colorado’s primary election ballot.

However, the state secretary’s office confirmed to Nexstar’s KDVR that the paperwork required to be on the ballot has not yet been released and therefore cannot have been completed.

The $500 check sent in with the election paperwork by Maldonado-Passage’s lawyer is being returned, along with instructions for the steps that must be taken in order to be on the ballot. The secretary of state’s office also said it cannot yet accept presidential candidate paperwork because the date for the election has not been officially announced.

Additionally, to be associated with a major party on the ballot – Maldonado-Passage says he is running as a Democrat in 2024 – they must be included on a list submitted by that party. Otherwise, they have the option to become a write-in candidate.

Despite currently being in prison, nothing in the law prevents a person from running for president from prison or as a convicted felon. This is because, constitutionally, the only requirements for office are that someone is 35 years or older, is a natural-born citizen, and has been a resident for 14 years.

Maldonado-Passage said his platform includes things like federal marijuana decriminalization and Bureau of Land Management reform. He also criticized the “corrupt federal prison and justice system,” as well as former President Donald Trump for not fixing the system.

Additionally, he criticized Trump for pardoning rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black as a “facelift to get votes, as usual,” the release said.

Maldonado-Passage applied for a pardon by Trump but did not receive one.

“Put aside that I am gay, that I am in prison for now, that I used drugs in the past, that I had more then [sic] one boyfriend at once and that Carole hates my guts,” Maldonado-Passage said on his campaign website. “This all has not a thing to do with me being able to be your voice.”

Maldonado-Passage has not yet responded to the secretary of state’s statement.

Maldonado-Passage said he chose Colorado as “the first target” in his journey to get on the ballot in all 50 states. According to his release, his next goal is New Hampshire.