Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was disqualified by a New York judge from appearing on the state’s ballot ahead of the November election due to using a “sham address” on nominating petitions.
New York Justice Christina L. Ryba ruled that the independent candidate’s New York residence was not a “bona fide and legitimate residence, but merely a ‘sham’ address that he assumed for the purpose of maintaining his voter registration” and 2024 political campaign.
Ryba described Kennedy’s residency claim at 84 Croton Lake Road in Westchester County, New York, as a “false statement requiring invalidation of the petition.”
“Using a friend’s address for political and voting purposes, while barely stepping foot on the premises, does not equate to residency under the Election Law,” the judge ruled. “To hold otherwise would establish a dangerous precedent and open the door to the fraud and political mischief that the Election Law residency rules were designed to prevent.”
According to Fox News, if Ryba’s decision is upheld, Kennedy may not only be prevented from appearing on the ballot in New York but could also face additional challenges in other states across the country since he used his New York address to collect signatures.
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Following the judge’s ruling in favor of the lawsuit against Kennedy, which was supported by Clear Choice Action, a Democratic-leaning political action committee, the independent presidential candidate released a statement, saying, “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.”
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Kennedy added, “This case is an assault on New York voters who signed in record numbers to place me on their ballot. The DNC has become a party that uses lawfare in place of the democratic election process. We will appeal and we will win.”
Fox News reported that Barbara Moss, who rents the room Kennedy claimed as his residence in New York, testified that the independent candidate pays her $500 per month; however, Moss admitted that Kennedy did not have a written lease and that his first payment was not made until The New York Post published a story questioning Kennedy’s residency claim.
After Ryba ruled that Kennedy was disqualified from the New York ballot, Clear Choice Action released a statement obtained by Fox News, saying, “The Kennedy team will undoubtedly file desperate lawsuit after desperate lawsuit in the coming days and weeks; they will fail, and it will not change the simple truth: he lied, and he’s being held accountable.”
