A New York Judge removed Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the state’s ballot on Monday after determining that he had falsely claimed residence there on nominating petitions. The decision, which RFK has now promised to appeal, could also have further consequences for his campaign if he used the same address for documents in other states.
In her 34-page ruling on the matter, New York Justice Christina L. Ryba concluded that the single bedroom Kennedy rents at 84 Croton Lake Road in Westchester County for $500 a month is not a “bona fide and legitimate residence, but merely a ‘sham’ address that he assumed for the purpose of maintaining his voter registration.”
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“Given the size and appearance of the spare bedroom as shown in the photographs admitted into evidence, the Court finds Kennedy’s testimony that he may return to that bedroom to reside with his wife, family members, multiple pets, and all of his personal belongings to be highly improbable, if not preposterous,” the judge wrote.
“Using a friend’s address for political and voting purposes, while barely stepping foot on the premises, does not equate to residency under the Election Law,” she continued. “To hold otherwise would establish a dangerous precedent and open the door to the fraud and political mischief that the Election Law residency rules were designed to prevent.”
Kennedy currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, but he maintains that he has considered New York his home state since childhood and plans to return there eventually. He is licensed to practice law and registered to vote in the state, he holds a New York driver’s license, and he also pays state taxes there.
“They aren’t confident they can win at the ballot box, so they are trying to stop voters from having a choice,” RFK said in a statement challenging the ruling. “We will appeal, and we will win.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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