State Supreme Court rules that RFK Jr. must be removed from North Carolina ballots

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled to remove former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from state ballots ahead of the general election. The 4-3 ruling upholds an appeals court ruling that his name should be taken off the ballot, requiring ballots to be reprinted. Justice Trey Allen, in the majority opinion, stated that protecting voters’ right to vote their conscience is worth the time and expense needed to reprint the ballots. Kennedy, who previously fought to get his name on multiple state ballots, sought to have his name removed as polling indicated he could harm former President Donald Trump’s chances in November. However, Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled that Kennedy must remain on the ballot in that state. The legal battle over Kennedy’s appearance on the North Carolina ballot has affected the timing of ballot mailings, delaying the process. The ruling in North Carolina was based on the state constitution’s Free Elections Clause which protects the right to vote and have those votes counted accurately. The majority argued that leaving Kennedy’s name on the ballot could mislead voters and potentially disenfranchise them. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to the court’s decision.

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