Democrats in Georgia are ramping up efforts to exclude Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the state’s presidential ballot, citing residency issues and legal compliance concerns.

At a Glance

• Georgia Democrats challenge Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s eligibility for the 2024 presidential ballot.
• Challengers claim Kennedy used a “sham” New York address on Georgia qualifying petitions.
• A New York judge recently ruled Kennedy does not reside in the state.
• Kennedy’s campaign asserts they have secured enough signatures for ballot access in all 50 states.
• Democrats are also challenging other independent and third-party candidates in Georgia.

Democrats Challenge Kennedy’s Ballot Eligibility

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, a group of Georgia Democrats is intensifying efforts to remove independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the state’s ballot. The move highlights a strategic approach to shaping the election’s landscape, with potential implications for the competitive balance in a key battleground state.

The challenge centers on Kennedy’s residency status and the validity of his qualifying petitions. Adam Sparks, a lawyer representing the Democratic challengers, argued that Kennedy’s use of a New York address on Georgia petitions invalidates his candidacy.

Democrats in the state of Georgia are seeking to have Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed from the ballots ahead of the November presidential election after a New York court found that RFK Jr. does not live at the address he used. https://t.co/bYXbWL9hM3

— Action News Now (@ActionNewsNow) August 19, 2024

New York Ruling Sparks Nationwide Challenges

The Georgia challenge follows a recent ruling by a New York judge who determined that Kennedy does not actually reside in New York. This decision has prompted similar challenges in other states, potentially jeopardizing Kennedy’s ballot access across the country.

“The court found, by clear and convincing evidence that petitioners had shown that his New York residence was a sham used for political purposes,” lawyer Adam Sparks said after a Monday hearing in Atlanta, the Associated Press (AP) reported. “He doesn’t live there. He claimed to on each and every sheet of his petition here in Georgia. That’s improper. It invalidates the petition, full stop.”

Kennedy’s legal team is appealing the New York ruling and maintains that he has been a lifelong resident of the state. Larry Otter, Kennedy’s lawyer, argued that the Democratic challengers are imposing qualifications beyond those listed in the U.S. Constitution for presidential candidates.

Implications for Georgia’s Electoral Landscape

The challenge to Kennedy’s ballot access in Georgia is not occurring in isolation. Democrats are also seeking to disqualify other independent and third-party candidates, including Cornel West, Green Party nominee Jill Stein, and Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

“One rich lawyer with the backing of the Democratic Party machine is trying to override the clear intent for these 15,000-plus people to have Claudia De la Cruz on the ballot,” Estevan Hernandez, a Georgia volunteer for De la Cruz, said after the hearing.

These efforts underscore the potential impact that independent and third-party candidates could have on Georgia’s electoral balance. In 2020, Joe Biden narrowly won the state, and the presence of additional candidates on the ballot could influence the outcome in 2024.

Legal Process and Next Steps

Administrative law judge Michael Malihi will issue findings to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who will make the final ruling before military and overseas ballots are mailed on September 17. The tight timeline adds urgency to the legal proceedings and underscores the high stakes involved in shaping the ballot for the upcoming election.

As the challenges unfold, Kennedy’s campaign maintains that they have secured enough signatures for ballot access in all 50 states. However, the ongoing legal battles in Georgia and other states could significantly impact the candidate’s ability to compete in crucial battlegrounds come November.

Sources:

1. Democrats Seek RFK Jr.’s Removal From Georgia Ballot, Cite ‘Sham’ Address
2. Khttps://triblive.com/news/democrats-seek-to-toss-kennedy-others-off-georgia-ballots-as-new-trial-opens-in-new-york/
3. Democrats seek to disqualify Kennedy and others from Georgia presidential ballots
4. Democrats, others seek to toss Kennedy off November ballot in Georgia and New York
5. Democrats and their allies sue to keep RFK Jr. off the ballot in several states
6. Georgia Democrats file challenges to keep Kennedy and others off presidential ballot