Even casual observers of American politics are now well aware of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s ballot access fights in states throughout the country. These fights have intensified in the days since RFK suspended his campaign for president and endorsed President Donald Trump’s effort to return to the White House in 2024. In “purple” states like Michigan and North Carolina, Democratic lawyers have pushed to keep RFK Jr. on the ballot, with the thought, it appears, that his continued presence on the ballot will drain votes from Trump.
At the same time, in traditionally “blue” New York, it’s Kennedy who is fighting to stay on the ballot and lawyers connected to leading Empire State Democrats working to keep him off. This legal brawl isn’t over, and it’s still unknown whether New Yorkers will see RFK’s name on their ballots this November.