RFK Jr Residency Appeal Rejected

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appeal to be considered a New York resident has been rejected by the state’s Appellate Division. The court’s decision, Cartwright v. Kennedy, was made on August 29, 2024, and it’s a significant blow to Kennedy’s claims.

The appeal was related to Kennedy’s attempt to get on the ballot in New York, which was initially rejected due to questions about his residency. Kennedy had listed an address in New York as his “place of residence,” but the court found that there was “clear and convincing evidence” that this was not the case.

Kennedy had moved to California ten years ago, but he still tried to claim New York as his residence. The court noted that Kennedy had never actually resided at the address listed in his nominating petition, and that he had only slept there once, after the media had questioned his stated residence.

The court’s decision also addressed Kennedy’s constitutional challenges, which were raised on appeal. The court held that the Constitution does not prevent a state from requiring a candidate to provide their place of residence in a petition.

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The court rejected Kennedy’s claim that requiring a candidate to be honest about their place of residence violates the Twelfth Amendment. Kennedy had cited a 2000 case, Jones v. Bush, but the court did not find this argument persuasive.

The decision is a significant setback for Kennedy, who had continued to insist that he should still be on the ballot despite suspending his campaign. The court’s ruling makes it clear that Kennedy does not meet the residency requirements to be on the ballot in New York.

They have raised questions about Kennedy’s honesty and transparency. The court’s decision notes that Kennedy had provided false information about his residence, and that he had only slept at the listed address once, after the media had questioned his stated residence.

Kennedy’s campaign is still technically active despite being suspended. His attempts to get on the ballot in New York have been rejected, and it’s unclear what his next steps will be.

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The case has highlighted the importance of transparency and honesty in politics. The court’s decision makes it clear that candidates must provide accurate information about their residence.

One aspect of the case that is still ongoing is a Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to Kennedy’s falconry license. The request was initially denied, but an appeal is pending.

If the documents are released, they could provide further insight into Kennedy’s residency claims.

For now, the court’s decision is a significant blow to Kennedy’s attempts to get on the ballot in New York.