Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was disqualified from voting in New York’s general election after a judge ruled Monday that he falsely claimed a New York residency on his nominating petitions, causing them to be invalidated.
Judge Christina Ryba ruled that Kennedy’s claim that his “place of residence” was in New York was a “false statement,” concluding that it was clear he had no intention of returning to the Empire State and that he had listed the address solely for political reasons. Ryba’s decision is expected to be appealed by Aug. 15. If upheld, it would disqualify Kennedy from the New York ballot and could trigger challenges in other states where he used a suburban New York address to gather signatures.
“The credible and overwhelming evidence presented at trial established that Kennedy’s ties to the [New York] “His address existed only on paper and was maintained for the sole purpose of maintaining his voter registration and political status in New York State,” Ryba wrote.
Kennedy said in court last week that he has considered New York home since childhood and intends to return. He said he moved temporarily to California in 2014 to live with his wife and is currently renting a room from a woman in New York.
Barbara Moss, the owner of the house, testified that Kennedy paid her $500 a month for the room. She added that Kennedy spent only one night in the house and that she received the first rental payment from him on May 20 of this year.
THE Kennedy lawsuit supported by Clear Choice Actiona Democratic-aligned super PAC that is working to obstruct third-party presidential candidates.
“Today’s decision makes clear that Mr. Kennedy lied about his residency and provided a false address on his New York candidacy papers and petitions, intentionally misleading election officials and betraying the trust of voters,” said Pete Kavanaugh, founder of Clear Choice Action. “Kennedy’s team will undoubtedly file a series of desperate lawsuits in the days and weeks ahead; they will fail, and it will not change the simple truth: He lied, and he will be held accountable.”
The super PAC also filed a lawsuit against Kennedy in Pennsylvania and filed an objection to his candidacy in Illinois. Other Democratic Party allies are leading the organization. similar efforts in Nevada and Delaware.
“Presidential candidate RFK Jr. is the same man portrayed in this story: a deeply troubled, reckless, and dangerous man. He doesn’t believe the rules apply to him and refuses to consider the consequences of his actions,” said DNC spokesman Matt Corridoni. “That’s why he’s willing to play spoiler for Donald Trump in this election and why he offered to support Trump in exchange for a job in a Trump administration. RFK Jr. has always put RFK Jr. first and has no regard for the disastrous impact his actions would have on the American people.”
Following New York’s decision, “we will evaluate our options in other states based on that decision,” Corridoni added.
The Kennedy campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
