The FEC isn't happy about fake presidential candidates like Deez Nuts

In the grim and interminable march toward Election Day 2016, some practical jokers have sought to provide a moment of levity by filing fake presidential candidates with the Federal Election Committee (FEC). In fact, as of this past October, some 1,200 people and animals were officially in the running — an unprecedented tally — including but certainly not limited to Deez Nuts, Butt Stuff, Tyrion Lannister, and even one Joe Biden of Trap Queen Avenue.

No more. In a press release Thursday, the FEC announced it will no longer tolerate such tomfoolery:

The letters will warn filers like Emilee McCubbins, owner of Limberbutt the Democat of Kentucky ("Meow is the time"), that they risk legal consequences if they do not withdraw their fake candidates, and that candidates whose authenticity is not verified within a certain time will be removed from the FEC's searchable public database. That's a tough blow to Limberbutt, who may well be the only candidate to endorse gay cat marriage so far.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up