State Supreme Court rules RFK Jr. must be taken off 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 ruling upholds an appeals court decision to take Kennedy’s name off the ballot and requires ballots to be reprinted. Justices cited the state constitution’s Free Elections Clause in protecting the right to vote and ensuring votes are counted accurately. Kennedy had previously sought to be on as many state ballots as possible but has now dropped out of the race and endorsed former President Donald Trump. The legal battle over Kennedy’s appearance on the North Carolina ballot has caused a delay in mailing out ballots in the state. The decision is seen as a victory for Kennedy and an effort to protect voters’ fundamental right to vote their conscience. The ruling may have an impact on the November election, as polling indicated Kennedy’s presence on the ballot could hurt Trump’s chances. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to the court’s decision. Overall, the court’s ruling is intended to uphold the integrity of the voting process and ensure that voters are not misled by the appearance of candidates who are no longer in the race.

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