Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been ordered off the New York ballot following a ruling by Justice Christina L. Ryba in Albany. The decision, which Kennedy’s campaign vows to appeal, could have very far-reaching implications for his candidacy nationwide — and change the entire landscape of the 2024 election.
Justice Ryba, a Democrat, ruled that Kennedy’s claim of a New York residence was false, stating in her 34-page decision, “Kennedy’s designation of the 84 Croton Lake Road address as his ‘place of residence’ was a false statement requiring invalidation of the petition.”
The judge said that Kennedy’s connections to the address “existed only on paper and were maintained for the sole purpose of maintaining his voter registration and political standing in the State of New York.”
The lawsuit, backed by Democratic-aligned groups, argued that Kennedy is actually a resident of California, where he lives with his wife, actor Cheryl Hines.
Evidence presented included driver’s license records, falconry licenses, and even a TikTok video of Kennedy talking about training ravens at his Los Angeles home.
Kennedy’s campaign fiercely contests the ruling.
“The Democrats are showing contempt for democracy. They aren’t confident they can win at the ballot box, so they are trying to stop voters from having a choice. We will appeal and we will win,” RFK, Jr.’s campaign said in a statement.
The campaign accused the Democratic National Committee of using “lawfare in place of the democratic election process.”
The decision could have ripple effects beyond New York. Kennedy used the same New York address in election filings nationwide, potentially exposing him to similar challenges in other states. Moreover, if Kennedy is ultimately deemed a California resident, a quirk in the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution could make his ticket ineligible for California’s electoral college votes, as both he and his running mate would be from the same state.
Democratic Party-aligned groups celebrated the ruling. A spokesperson for MoveOn told The New York Post, “The courts are recognizing what voters are catching onto: RFK Jr. is a fraud. He knows he’ll never have a chance to win, but he and his MAGA donors are attempting to mislead voters to sway the election to Trump.”
The Democratic National Committee also weighed in.
“The RFK Jr. running for president is a deeply troubled, reckless, and dangerous man. He doesn’t think the rules apply to him and he refuses to consider the consequences of his actions,” DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni said in a statement.
Kennedy’s campaign maintains that he has longstanding ties to New York, including paying taxes, holding a driver’s license, and maintaining a law practice in the state. They have announced plans to fight the ruling in federal court, arguing that state judges are ignoring the Constitution.
The outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact the landscape of the 2024 presidential election, potentially altering the choices available to voters in New York and beyond.