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

The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled to remove former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the state’s ballots ahead of the general election. The 4-3 ruling upholds a previous appeals court decision and means that new ballots will need to be printed. Justice Trey Allen, in the majority opinion, emphasized the importance of protecting voters’ right to vote their conscience. Kennedy, who had sought to be removed from state ballots, received a blow earlier in the day when Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled that he must remain on the ballot in that state. Kennedy’s decision to drop out and endorse former President Donald Trump has led to legal battles in various states where he had previously fought to be listed. The court decision in North Carolina cited the state constitution’s Free Elections Clause as the basis for removing Kennedy from the ballot to avoid disenfranchising voters who may mistakenly believe he is still a candidate. The delay in sending out ballots has been attributed to the legal battle over Kennedy’s appearance on the ballot. The Trump campaign has not yet commented on the ruling.

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