RFK Jr. Secures Two Legal Wins, Delays Absentee Ballots in Key States
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. won two critical appeals on Friday, further complicating the distribution of absentee ballots for the 2024 elections. His victories in North Carolina and Michigan have led to delays and mounting concerns as state election officials scramble to comply with the rulings.
In North Carolina, an appeals court overturned a lower court’s decision and ruled that Kennedy’s name must be removed from the ballot. This unexpected turn has forced election authorities to halt the mailing of absentee ballots, which were set to be distributed starting Friday. The ruling has thrown counties into chaos, as they will now need to reprint ballots before moving forward with their distribution. NBC News reported that while it’s uncertain whether this ruling will face further challenges, the delay is already significant.
In Michigan, another appeals court sided with Kennedy, countering Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s assertion that it was too late to make such changes. Benson plans to appeal the decision, expressing concerns about the impact this will have on the timely distribution of military and overseas ballots.
Kennedy had previously fought hard for ballot access as a third-party presidential candidate, but after endorsing former President Donald Trump, he sought to withdraw his name from state ballots. His presence, according to polling, could potentially hurt the Republican nominee, which is why Democrats in several states have fought to keep him on the ballot even after his presidential campaign ended.
In North Carolina, following the court’s ruling, the State Board of Elections issued an urgent directive to halt the mailing of ballots. According to Paul Cox, general counsel for the state election authority, “This will be a major undertaking for everyone. Our attorneys are reviewing the order and determining how to move forward. No decision has been made on whether this ruling will be appealed.”
Kennedy addressed the situation during a Fox News interview, accusing the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of acting out of desperation and lack of faith in their nominees, including Vice President Kamala Harris. Kennedy called the DNC’s actions “fundamentally undemocratic,” highlighting that the very party his family had long been associated with is now trying to undermine voters’ choices.
“We’re trying to get off the ballot in all the states where I might be a spoiler and cause harm to President Trump,” RFK Jr. said during an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News Channel’s “The Story.” He also expressed frustration with the DNC’s current tactics, adding, “The irony right now is that the DNC, which has been trying to keep me off the ballot, is now suing to keep me on.”
Kennedy criticized the party’s leadership, saying, “I grew up in a Democratic Party, which was the party of Robert Kennedy and John Kennedy. I was trying to make sure every American had the right to vote for whoever they wanted. The Democratic Party doesn’t seem to have the kind of confidence in its nominees to amplify their voices. Instead, it’s using lawfare to keep opposing candidates like me and Jill Stein off the ballot.”
In a further twist, a former RFK Jr. staffer has launched a pro-Trump political action committee (PAC) under the banner “Make America Healthy Again.” The PAC is reportedly working in support of the same causes that drove Kennedy’s presidential bid and eventual endorsement of Trump.
When RFK Jr. officially threw his support behind Trump last month, he cited three major reasons that led to his shift: standing up to corporate interests, restoring health, and ensuring freedom for the American people. “President Trump has shown that he can stand up to the corporate interests that have poisoned our environment and compromised our health,” Kennedy declared during a rally in Arizona alongside Trump.
He added, “Together, we can restore the health and freedom of the American people. Trump is the only candidate who can break the stranglehold that corporate elites have on our government.”
As both states grapple with the impact of these court rulings, the legal and political battles are far from over. The results could have significant implications not just for ballot access but for the broader 2024 election landscape.