In a significant legal setback for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a New York judge has ruled that he will be denied access to the state’s ballot due to issues with his residency address. The ruling comes after allegations that Kennedy, who is running for the presidency, provided an incorrect address in his filing documents.
RFK Jr denied NY ballot
The dispute centers around whether Kennedy met the legal requirements to establish residency in New York, which are crucial for ballot qualification. The judge’s decision marks a notable development in the legal challenges surrounding Kennedy’s campaign, reflecting the complexities candidates face when navigating state-specific election laws.
Kennedy’s campaign has asserted that the address discrepancy was an administrative error rather than an intentional misrepresentation. Despite this, the court found that the address provided did not align with the legal standards required for ballot access.
The ruling has sparked debate among political observers and supporters, some of whom argue that the decision could impact Kennedy’s ability to gain traction in a crucial electoral state. The campaign has yet to announce whether it will appeal the decision or adjust its strategy in response.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, this development underscores the high-stakes nature of electoral regulations and the challenges candidates face in meeting them. Kennedy’s team will need to navigate these legal hurdles carefully as they move forward in the campaign. If the ruling is upheld, it would not only bar Mr. Kennedy from the New York ballot but could also lead to challenges in other states where he uses that address.
Mr. Kennedy dismissed the ruling as a partisan attack and noted the judge as a Democrat.
“They aren’t confident they can win at the ballot box, so they are trying to stop voters from having a choice,” he said in a statement. “We will appeal, and we will win.” Mr. Kennedy, 70, had argued in court that he considered New York his home since childhood and intended to return.
He currently lives in California, which he moved to in 2014 to be with his wife, Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines.
Mr. Kennedy also offered evidence of his residency by showing that he pays New York state taxes and has a law practice in the state. In court, Mr Kennedy sought to make the case that he has been renting a bedroom from a friend in Katonah, roughly 40 miles (65 km) north of Manhattan.
The friend, Barbara Moss, testified in court that she charges Mr. Kennedy $500 (£301) a month. She also said there was no written lease.
However, in her 34-page ruling, Judge Ryba said “the overwhelming credible evidence introduced at trial” suggested that Mr. Kennedy only held a New York address for “political standing.”.
“Given the size and appearance of the spare bedroom as shown in the photographs admitted into evidence, the Court finds Kennedy’s testimony that he may return to that bedroom to reside with his wife, family members, multiple pets, and all of his personal belongings to be highly improbable, if not preposterous,” the judge wrote.
Mr. Kennedy is the most well-known independent candidate, but his popularity appears to have plummeted since Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race.
in summery
In a significant legal setback for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a New York judge has ruled that he will be denied access to the state’s ballot due to discrepancies with his residency address. Kennedy, who is running for president, faced allegations of providing an incorrect address in his filing documents, which led to the court’s decision.
The judge determined that Kennedy did not meet New York’s residency requirements necessary for ballot qualification. Despite Kennedy’s campaign arguing that the address issue was merely an administrative mistake, the court found that the address did not comply with legal standards. Kennedy, who currently resides in California, claimed that he considers New York his home and provided evidence of paying state taxes and maintaining a law practice there. He also stated that he has been renting a bedroom in Katonah, New York, from a friend, though there was no formal lease.
Kennedy dismissed the ruling as a partisan attack, citing the judge’s Democratic affiliation and vowed to appeal. He criticized the decision as an attempt to block voters from choosing him. This ruling not only affects his New York ballot access but could also impact his campaign in other states where the address issue might arise.
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