RFK Jr. Kicked Off New York Ballot, Vows "We will appeal and we will win."

 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Brooklyn on May 1. Photo by Jason Schott.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. only saved New York City's tap water, arguably the best in the world, and cleaned up the Hudson River, but that did not help him prove his residency in the ballot access lawsuit the DNC filed against the Independent Presidential candidate.

Democratic Judge Christina L. Ryba ruled that Kennedy is not a New York resident, and cannot appear on the ballot in November. 

"The Democrats are showing contempt for democracy," Kennedy said in a statement released by his campaign. "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."

Judge Ryba also openly in court said she refused to consider the constitutionality of the New York residency requirement under the 12th Amendment. 

Kennedy campaign Senior Counsel Paul Rossi said, "The 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution governs the residency of presidential and vice presidential candidates, not state law. We intend to pursue injunctive relief in the Southern District of New York. If state court judges are going to ignore the Constitution, the federal courts must step in to protect voters' rights."

The New York State Board of Elections confirmed in July that Kennedy submitted 108,000 valid signatures for ballot access - more than double the 45,000 required. This was a record number of signatures for a presidential candidate.