The Empire State will feature one less name this November…
On Monday, a New York judge had Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed from the ballot after ruling he falsely claimed a residence in the state on nominating petitions.
New York Justice Christina L. Ryba concluded in a 34-page decision that the rented bedroom Kennedy, 70, claimed as his residence in the state wasn’t a “bona fide and legitimate residence, but merely a ‘sham’ address that he assumed for the purpose of maintaining his voter registration” and furthering his political candidacy.
Ryba wrote in the decision that Kennedy’s designation of 84 Croton Lake Road in Westchester County as his place of residence “was 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 wrote. “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.”
If the judge’s decision is upheld, it would keep Kennedy off the ballot in New York but could also lead to challenges in other states where he used an address in New York City’s suburbs to gather signatures.
“The Democrats are showing contempt for democracy,” Kennedy said in a statement, noting the ruling judge is a Democrat. “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.”
“This case is an assault on New York voters who signed in record numbers to place me on their ballot,” Kennedy wrote on X.” The DNC has become a party that uses lawfare in place of the democratic election process.”
Barbara Moss, who rents the room to Kennedy, testified that he pays her $500 a month but she acknowledged there is no written lease and that Kennedy’s first payment wasn’t made until after the New York Post published a story casting doubt on Kennedy’s claim that he lived at that address.
The judge wrote it was “highly improbable, if not preposterous” that Kennedy may return to that bedroom to reside with his wife, family members, multiple pets, and all of his personal belongings to be,” the judge wrote.
Clear Choice Action said the ruling shows Kennedy intentionally misled election officials and betrayed voters’ trust.
“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,” the organization said.
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I thought thatwas illegel !?