Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has been disqualified from New York’s general election ballot after a judge ruled that he falsely claimed a New York residence on his nominating petitions. Judge Christina Ryba found that Kennedy’s assertion of a New York address was a “false statement” and was solely for political advantage. Ryba determined that Kennedy had no genuine intention of returning to New York, despite his claims in court that he considered New York his home since childhood.
Kennedy, who temporarily moved to California in 2014 to be with his wife, argued that he intended to return to New York and is currently renting a room in Katonah. However, the court was unconvinced, noting that Kennedy had only stayed there for one night and paid rent after the New York Post questioned his residency.
The ruling, expected to be appealed, could also lead to challenges in other states where Kennedy used the same New York address to gather signatures. The legal challenge was backed by Clear Choice Action, a Democrat-aligned super PAC, which argued that Kennedy deliberately misled election officials. Despite the setback, Kennedy’s campaign vowed to continue the legal battle, denouncing the ruling as politically motivated.
Kennedy’s legal team strongly condemned this ruling as part of a larger campaign to undermine his candidacy and prevent voters from having another choice in the presidential election. They allege that this decision represents an attempt at exclusion by parties opposed to him from appearing on ballots; their campaign plans to challenge it vigorously both state and federal courts.
