The Kennedy campaign bus has made appearances in Raleigh this year, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remains blocked from the state’s presidential ballot for now. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)
The state Board of Elections refused along party lines to recognize as political parties the groups trying to put Robert Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West on the November presidential ballot.
Democrats on the board rejected petitions from Justice for All, which is trying to put West on the ballot, and from Kennedy’s We the People party.
They also rejected the Constitution Party.
The board’s three Democrats want state and county elections administrators to investigate the petitions. Board Chairman Alan Hirsch said the investigations would be quick. Republicans said no investigations are necessary.
“I think we’re going off the rails here,” said Kevin Lewis, a Republican board member.
Potential new parties need signatures of at least 13,865 registered voters to qualify for consideration. Information on the state Board of Elections website shows that each group cleared the bar for verified signatures on their petitions.