Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections in an attempt to have his name removed from the state's ballot before the upcoming election.
According to Fox News, Kennedy's decision to pursue this lawsuit is part of his strategy to avoid being a potential spoiler in battleground states. This legal action comes just a week after Kennedy suspended his third-party presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit was filed after the North Carolina State Board of Elections denied Kennedy's request to remove his name from the ballot. The board's decision, made in a 3-2 vote, was based on the fact that nearly 2 million ballots have already been printed in 67 of the state's 100 counties. The board argued that reprinting the ballots would incur significant costs and potentially disrupt the election process, with the first deadline for absentee ballots approaching on September 6.
Prior to suspending his campaign, Kennedy had been actively seeking to get his name on the North Carolina ballot. His efforts included gathering signatures for his We the People party over the summer. However, his recent decision to endorse Trump and withdraw from the race has led to a complete reversal of his ballot strategy.
Kennedy's lawsuit argues that the election board's decision to keep his name on the ballot violates his speech rights and state election law. The legal filing emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating that with the November election approaching and ballot deadlines fast approaching, Kennedy had no choice but to seek immediate relief from the court.
The former candidate's decision to remove his name from ballots in battleground states is part of a larger strategy. Kennedy has stated that he intends to keep his name on the ballot in states that are considered safe for either Democrats or Republicans, but wishes to avoid potentially influencing the outcome in closely contested states.
Recent polls have indicated that North Carolina could be a closely contested state in the upcoming election. The race between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly tight, making it a crucial battleground state.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has cited logistical challenges as the primary reason for denying Kennedy's request. Karen Brinson Bell, the Board Executive Director, explained the complexity of the ballot printing process:
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.
This statement underscores the technical and administrative hurdles involved in modifying ballots at this stage of the election process. The board estimates that reprinting ballots would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and could potentially disrupt the election timeline.
Despite suspending his campaign, Kennedy has not completely abandoned his presidential ambitions. He has suggested that he could still become president if neither Trump nor Harris reaches the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency outright.
Kennedy's endorsement of Trump was publicly displayed when he joined the former president on stage at a rally in Glendale, Arizona. During this appearance, Kennedy emphasized his vision for the country, focusing on issues such as protecting freedoms, ensuring environmental safety, and improving public health.
In conclusion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections represents a significant development in his political strategy. His attempt to remove his name from the ballot in a key battleground state reflects his stated goal of avoiding potential spoiler effects.
The outcome of this legal challenge could have implications for ballot access and election administration in North Carolina and potentially other states. As the election approaches, the resolution of this lawsuit will be closely watched by political observers and election officials alike.
