In a recent legal development, a North Carolina judge has ordered a halt on the distribution of mail-in ballots that still feature Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name, delaying the beginning of absentee voting in the state. This decision comes after Kennedy, who had previously been viewed as a potential “spoiler” in the race, suspended his independent presidential campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
Kennedy’s campaign faced several hurdles in removing his name from the ballots in crucial battleground states. Despite his request to be removed, the North Carolina State Board of Elections rejected his plea last week. Kennedy subsequently challenged this decision in court, leading to a ruling from the Wake County Superior Court that mandated his name remain on the ballot. However, the court also issued an order delaying the distribution of ballots to allow Kennedy time to appeal. The North Carolina Court of Appeals has now intervened, halting the mailing of ballots with Kennedy’s name.
This legal maneuver will delay the start of absentee voting, and it remains uncertain whether there will be further appeals regarding this decision. According to an email obtained by The Hill, North Carolina State Board of Elections General Counsel Paul Cox instructed county election officials to refrain from sending out any ballots on the originally scheduled date. Cox’s email indicated that their legal team is still assessing the situation and has yet to decide on potential appeals.
Kennedy, who has endorsed Trump after suspending his presidential bid, could still impact the Republican nominee’s prospects. In Michigan, where Trump and Vice President Harris are in a tight race, a judge has ruled that Kennedy must remain on the ballot. Similarly, Wisconsin, another key swing state, has also decided against removing his name. Although Kennedy’s campaign had been polling in the single digits, his presence on the ballot could influence critical swing states with narrow margins, making this situation particularly significant for the upcoming election.