On Friday, a North Carolina judge stopped the state from distributing mail-in ballots that still have Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name on them, pushing back the start of voting.
The independent presidential candidate, previously seen as a potential “spoiler” to the major party contenders, suspended his campaign last month, endorsed former President Trump and requested to be taken off ballots in key battleground states.
North Carolina’s State Board of Elections voted last week to reject Kennedy’s request for removal. Kennedy challenged the decision, and a Wake County Superior Court on Thursday ruled he must remain on the ballot. (RELATED: Report: RFK Jr. Sues For North Carolina Ballot Removal)
The legal development will stall the start of absentee voting, and it’s unclear whether or not RFK Jr. will file another appeal.
In an email obtained by The Hill, North Carolina State Board of Elections general counsel Paul Cox told county election directors this morning not to send out any ballots on Friday, the initially scheduled start date for distributing mail-in ballots.
“Our attorneys are reviewing the order and determining how to move forward. No decision has been made on whether this ruling will be appealed,” Cox wrote in the email.
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