RFK Jr. Sues North Carolina Over Ballot Removal

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Elections to remove his name from the 2024 presidential ballot. The lawsuit submitted in Wake County Superior Court on Friday argues that the board's decision to turn down his request to yank his name violates state election law and Kennedy's right to free speech. With impending November elections and critical ballot deadlines, Kennedy seeks "immediate relief" from the court.

Kennedy's filing follows his decision to suspend his campaign and endorse former President Trump. He has been working to retract his name from ballots in closely contested states like North Carolina but remains on ballots in less critical states like New York. Kennedy's name is slated to appear on the North Carolina ballot unless the court intervenes.

On Thursday, the board's three Democrats outvoted two Republicans, rejecting Kennedy and running mate Nicole Shanahan's removal request. The Democrats cited logistical challenges, noting 67 of North Carolina's 100 counties had started printing ballots, with over 1.7 million already produced. Redoing them would cost six figure, per the board's executive director. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)