Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. delivers a keynote speech at a major conference on July 26 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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A New York judge ruled Monday that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is ineligible to appear on the state’s ballot due to an invalid address listed on his nominating petition.
Judge Christina Ryba stated that the address provided by Kennedy was not his legitimate residence, describing it as a “sham” address meant to maintain his voter registration for political purposes.
The court highlighted a consistent pattern from Kennedy of using friends’ and relatives’ addresses while primarily residing in California.
“Utilizing a friend’s address for political and voting purposes, with minimal presence in that location, does not meet the residency requirements outlined in Election Law,” Ryba stated. “Allowing otherwise could set a troubling precedent and open avenues for electoral fraud and manipulation.”
The Kennedy campaign responded to the ruling, expressing their intent to appeal the decision.
“Despite the ruling, Kennedy is registered to vote in New York, pays taxes there, and possesses several state licenses, including a driver’s license and a law license,” campaign officials noted.
In a pointed statement, Kennedy said, “The Democrats are exhibiting a blatant disregard for democracy. Their lack of confidence in winning at the ballot box has led them to suppress voters’ choices. We will appeal and we will prevail.”
According to a recent poll, voter support for Kennedy has diminished, especially as Vice President Harris enters the race as the presumed Democratic nominee, now sitting at just 5%.
The Kennedy campaign aims to secure a spot on the ballot in all 50 states, a challenging and expensive effort rarely achieved by independent candidates, involving significant logistical hurdles and legal challenges.
Officials anticipate facing opposition from both major parties as the election approaches, with Kennedy accusing the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of orchestrating efforts to exclude him from ballots.
“The DNC has resorted to using legal tactics instead of allowing fair democratic elections,” Kennedy remarked.
In response to the New York ruling, a DNC spokesperson characterized Kennedy as a “troubled and reckless individual,” expressing that he believes he is above the rules.
This ruling could have far-reaching implications for Kennedy’s eligibility in other states, as he utilized the same New York address in additional petitions.
