Kennedy to Appeal Partisan Ruling in New York Ballot Access Residency Case

ALBANY, NY—AUGUST 12, 2024—Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today condemned the openly partisan ruling by Democratic Judge Christina L. Ryba in Albany County Supreme Court against his New York residency and said that he will win on appeal.

The ruling came in spite of the fact that Kennedy is registered to vote in New York, New York has been his primary residence since 1964, he pays taxes in New York, he has a New York driver’s license, his legal license and law practice is in New York, and his falconry license and other recreational licenses are in New York.

“The Democrats are showing contempt for democracy,” said Kennedy. “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 openly in court said she refused to consider the constitutionality of the New York residency requirement under the 12th Amendment. 

“The 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution governs the residency of presidential and vice presidential candidates, not state law,” said campaign Senior Counsel Paul Rossi. “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 last month that the Kennedy Campaign submitted 108,680 valid signatures for ballot access, more than double the 45,000 required — a record number of signatures from New Yorkers. 

“This case is an assault on New York voters who signed in record numbers to place me on their ballot,” said Kennedy. “The DNC has become a party that uses lawfare in place of the democratic election process.”

Kennedy has received more than 1 million signatures to put him on the ballot nationwide, more than any candidate in U.S. history. 

Kennedy announced last week that the campaign has collected enough signatures for ballot access in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Kennedy campaign has won every ballot access legal challenge across the country, including in Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Utah

Learn more at Kennedy24.com. Visit our press page here.

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