This is a controversial ruling.
A New York judge has ruled against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to be included on the state’s general election ballot this fall. Justice Christina Ryba of the New York Supreme Court invalidated Kennedy’s nominating petition and directed the Board of Elections to exclude his name from the official ballot. This court, at the trial level in New York, made this decision on the grounds of issues related to Kennedy’s residency.
Kennedy, in response to the ruling, accused the Democratic Party of undermining democratic principles. He alleged that they were preventing voters from having more choices because they lacked confidence in winning through the election. Kennedy expressed his intent to appeal the decision and remained optimistic about overturning it.
The challenge to Kennedy’s ballot access was brought by Clear Choice Action, a group with Democratic ties. They disputed Kennedy’s claim of a New York residence, asserting that he actually lives in California with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines. Although Kennedy testified that he and his wife planned to return to New York, the judge dismissed this as irrelevant to the legal question of his residency at the time of filing.
The judge’s ruling highlighted that Kennedy’s emotional connection to New York and his past residence did not impact the legal determination of whether he was actually living at the stated address when he filed his petition.
Kennedy is currently listed on the ballot in 15 states but faces similar legal challenges in Pennsylvania. Clear Choice Action stated that the ruling confirmed Kennedy’s dishonesty about his residency. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee criticized Kennedy as “deeply troubled, reckless, and dangerous” following the ruling.
