Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now taking legal action to remove his name from the North Carolina ballot for the upcoming presidential election. This move comes just months after he fought to secure his place on the same ballot as a third-party candidate.
According to The Independent, Kennedy filed a lawsuit on Friday in Wake County Superior Court.
The legal action follows the North Carolina Election Board's decision that it was too late to remove his name from the ballot for the November election.
Kennedy's lawsuit claims that the state has "irreparably harmed" him and that failing to remove his name from the ballot violates his right to free speech. This legal challenge comes after the election board stated that it would not be practical to reprint the approximately 1.7 million ballots that have already been produced with Kennedy's name included.
The independent candidate's decision to withdraw from the race was announced on August 23, citing concerns that his continued candidacy could potentially "hand the election over to the Democrats." Following his withdrawal, Kennedy expressed support for Donald Trump's campaign.
This latest legal action stands in stark contrast to Kennedy's earlier efforts. In July, he launched the We The People party and engaged in legal battles to secure his place on the ballot. At that time, the North Carolina Democratic Party sued to block his name from appearing, but a judge ruled in Kennedy's favor.
Kennedy's attempt to remove his name from the North Carolina ballot is part of a broader strategy targeting key battleground states. He has made similar requests in Michigan and Wisconsin, both crucial swing states where polls suggest his presence on the ballot could potentially benefit Kamala Harris while hindering Donald Trump's chances.
In some states, Kennedy's requests for removal have been granted. Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Nevada have allowed him to withdraw his name from their respective ballots. However, the situation in North Carolina remains unresolved, with the state election board citing logistical challenges and legal deadlines as barriers to accommodating Kennedy's request.
When announcing his decision to drop out of the race, Kennedy explained his strategy regarding ballot presence in different states:
If you live in a blue state, you can vote for me without harming or helping President Trump or Vice President Harris, and [in] red states, the same will apply... If you do vote for me, [and] the major party candidates don't win 270 votes, which is quite possible.. I could conceivably still end up in the White House in a contingent election.
The ongoing legal battle in North Carolina highlights the complex nature of ballot access and the potential impact of third-party candidates on presidential elections. Kennedy's efforts to remove his name from ballots in battleground states reflect a strategic calculation aimed at influencing the outcome of the election.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how this situation will affect voter perception and the overall dynamics of the presidential race in North Carolina. The state's significance as a battleground could make even small changes to the ballot potentially influential in the final election results.
The decision by the North Carolina Election Board to maintain Kennedy's name on the ballot due to logistical constraints raises questions about the flexibility of election procedures and the rights of candidates to modify their ballot status after certain deadlines have passed.
In conclusion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s legal action to remove his name from the North Carolina ballot represents a significant shift in his campaign strategy. This move, coming after his earlier efforts to secure ballot access, underscores the complex interplay between candidate decisions, election laws, and the practical challenges of ballot preparation. As the November election approaches, the outcome of this legal battle could have implications for voter choice and the overall electoral landscape in North Carolina, a key battleground state.
