Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sues North Carolina Over Ballot Dispute Amid Controversial Campaign Exit
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is taking legal action against North Carolina’s State Board of Elections after the board refused to remove his name from the electoral ballot. This comes after Kennedy decided to drop his independent presidential campaign and endorse Donald Trump. The lawsuit follows a series of challenges that have plagued Kennedy’s campaign, now threatening to overshadow the impact of his withdrawal.
Kennedy’s Campaign Suspension
Kennedy suspended his presidential bid on August 23, explaining that he intended to remove his name from the ballot in 10 states, including crucial swing states where his presence could have negatively impacted Trump in close races against Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
“Our polling consistently showed that by staying on the ballot in the battleground states, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues,” Kennedy stated during a press conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Since his withdrawal, Trump has welcomed Kennedy into his transition team, despite concerns from some conservative Republicans about Kennedy’s past as a Democrat and his support for abortion rights, which are issues that are traditionally divisive within the Republican Party.
North Carolina’s Rejection and Legal Battle
Kennedy’s request to remove his name from the ballot in North Carolina, a critical battleground where recent polls show Harris with a slight lead, was denied by the state’s election board. The board cited that approximately 1.7 million ballot papers had already been printed, and reprinting them would incur significant costs.
“It would not be practical to reprint ballots that have already been printed and meet the state law deadline to start absentee voting,” the board stated on August 29. The board noted that 67 of the state’s 100 counties had already received absentee mail-in ballots, and producing new batches would create logistical challenges. The board’s executive director, Karen Brinson Bell, emphasized the complexity of the ballot printing process, stating, “When we talk about printing a ballot, we are not talking about pressing ‘copy’ on a Xerox machine. This is a much more complex and layered process.”
The board’s decision was split along party lines, with a 3-2 vote against Kennedy’s request, highlighting the tension and division in the political landscape. In response, Kennedy filed a lawsuit claiming the decision violated his right to free speech.
“By refusing to acknowledge Kennedy’s statutory rights and entitlements, defendants have irreparably harmed him,” the lawsuit argues. “Even worse, by forcing Kennedy to remain on the ballot against his will, defendants are compelling speech in violation of [the U.S. Constitution].”
Similar Disputes in Other States
North Carolina is one of many states where Kennedy faces difficulties removing his name from the ballot. Similar disputes have arisen in Wisconsin and Michigan, both considered crucial to the outcome of the November 5 election.
In Michigan, Kennedy’s presence on the ballot could give Harris a 0.1% advantage, according to RealClearPolitics, which shows her leading Trump by 2.2% in recent polls. Wisconsin has also refused Kennedy’s request to withdraw, citing state election law stating that only death can remove a candidate’s name from the ballot once nominated.
“Any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline the nomination,” Wisconsin’s election law states. “The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in case of death of the person.”
Success in Other States
Despite the challenges in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Michigan, Kennedy has successfully removed himself from the ballot in several other battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Arizona.
However, Kennedy’s difficulties are wider than staying on the ballot. He has also faced challenges getting on the ballot in states where his presence is unlikely to affect the outcome. In New York, an appeals committee recently upheld a decision to exclude him from the ballot due to residency issues, ruling that an address he filed as a state residence was that of a friend.
In a twist of irony, Georgia, another battleground state where Kennedy’s presence could have harmed Trump, ruled that he was “not qualified” to appear on the ballot due to doubts about his New York residence. The Georgia secretary of state’s office confirmed that Kennedy’s name “will not appear on the ballot in Georgia this election.”
Kennedy’s legal battles and the controversy surrounding his campaign exit continue to stir debate as the election approaches. His actions could influence the outcome in several key states, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming election.