The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appeal to remain on the New York ballot for the 2024 presidential election. This decision marks the second time the justices have turned down Kennedy’s efforts to reverse state court rulings that disqualified him due to an invalid address listed on his nomination petition.
Kennedy had suspended his independent presidential campaign in August and endorsed former President Donald Trump. Despite this, he sought to keep his name on the ballot in New York, a state that tends to favor Democrats. However, a state judge ruled that Kennedy’s use of a New York address was deceptive, as he actually resides in California. The judge described the address as a “sham” used for maintaining voter registration and advancing his political goals in New York.
Kennedy’s legal team argued that New York’s residency requirements are unconstitutional, as they impose additional qualifications beyond those outlined in the U.S. Constitution. However, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, upholding the lower court’s decision to remove Kennedy from the ballot.
In response to his campaign suspension, Kennedy encouraged his supporters nationwide to back Trump. He also withdrew his name from ballots in several Republican-leaning states but sought to remain on the ballot in states like New York, where competition is less intense. Despite collecting over 100,000 valid signatures, Kennedy’s name was removed due to the address issue.
The Supreme Court’s decision was made without dissenting opinions, marking a significant setback for Kennedy’s efforts to influence the election through his continued presence on the ballot.
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