Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not appear on New York’s 2024 election ballots.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear his appeal, which aimed to reinstate his name on the state’s ballots, according to the Associated Press.
Kennedy, who has since aligned himself with former President Donald Trump, has suspended his own campaign but remains relevant in the election landscape.
His supporters could still play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the presidential race, especially in key swing states. This has made the issue of Kennedy’s inclusion on ballots a point of significant contention.
Background
Kennedy’s political journey in this election has been unconventional. After suspending his independent run for president, he endorsed Trump, reasoning that his candidacy might siphon votes away from the former president.
Kennedy’s internal polling suggested that his presence on the ballot could negatively impact Trump’s chances in the 2024 election, particularly in battleground states.
With that in mind, Kennedy has been actively trying to remove his name from ballots in swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Arizona, where his candidacy could sway the election in favor of the Democratic candidate.
However, in solidly blue states like New York, Kennedy initially viewed his inclusion on the ballot as less consequential and thus pursued maintaining his place on the ballot there.
Democratic activists, however, have challenged his ballot status in several states, including New York, successfully petitioning to have his name removed.
This prompted Kennedy to file an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in an effort to reverse New York’s decision and regain his spot on the state’s presidential ballot.
At the heart of the issue is whether Kennedy complied with a New York state election law regarding minor party candidates.
The law requires that such candidates include their “place of residence” on their petition, specifying that the residence must be the “fixed, permanent, and principal home” to which the candidate always intends to return.
New York courts ruled that Kennedy had failed to meet this requirement, arguing that he did not provide sufficient proof of residency as stipulated by the state’s election laws.
In response, Kennedy disagreed with the ruling and sought the Supreme Court’s intervention, hoping they would weigh in on the matter and allow his candidacy to be restored in New York.
However, in a brief decision, the justices declined to hear the case. “The application for writ of injunction presented to Justice Sotomayor and by her referred to the Court is denied,” the court wrote, effectively ending Kennedy’s legal battle in New York.
This decision may mark the end of Kennedy’s bid to remain on the ballot in New York.
While this outcome is a setback for his campaign in the state, Kennedy’s focus on other swing states remains critical as both parties recognize his potential influence on the election’s outcome.
His endorsement of Trump, along with efforts to withdraw his name from key states, underscores the strategic moves being made as both Democrats and Republicans vie for every possible advantage heading into the 2024 presidential race.
Though Kennedy’s name will not appear on the ballot in New York, his supporters and campaign efforts may continue to affect voter decisions across the country.
