Current:Home > FinanceRFK Jr. sues Nevada’s top election official over ballot access as he scrambles to join debate stage -ProgressCapital
RFK Jr. sues Nevada’s top election official over ballot access as he scrambles to join debate stage
View
Date:2025-04-12 18:11:35
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign filed a lawsuit Friday against Nevada’s top election official, alleging a requirement that independent candidates must name their running mate by the time they start gathering signatures for ballot access is unconstitutional.
The filing in the U.S. District Court of Nevada comes just over two months after Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar’s office clarified guidance that would likely nullify signatures that Kennedy Jr’s campaign collected for November’s ballot due to the petition not listing a running mate. Kennedy Jr’s campaign said in the lawsuit that they received approval in January from Aguilar’s office allowing them to collect the required 10,095 signatures for a petition that did not list his vice presidential selection.
The requirement to name a running mate on the petition, the campaign alleges, violates the 1st Amendment and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
“Every communication with Defendant’s staff on this issue repeatedly confirmed that a VP candidate could not be named on the petition,” the lawsuit states. The campaign described the secretary of state’s office interpretation of the law as “ambiguous and conflicting.”
Kennedy Jr. picked California lawyer and philanthropist Nicole Shanahan as his running mate in late March, a few weeks after he submitted the petition.
Aguilar’s office sent correct guidance to all independent candidates that had filed petitions for ballot access “well in advance of the deadline to submit signatures, which still has not passed,” the office said in a statement. The office acknowledged in March that an employee “provided inaccurate guidance to an independent presidential campaign” and clarified that independent candidates’ petitions must list a running mate that month.
Candidates have until July 5 to submit a petition to county election offices with enough signatures to appear on the Nevada ballot.
“Nevada has a rich history of independent and third party candidates for office,” Aguilar said in a statement. “Each of those candidates managed to attain ballot access by following the law. We look forward to seeing Mr. Kennedy’s team in court.”
The lawsuit comes as Kennedy Jr. scrambles to secure ballot access in states with at least 270 electoral votes by June 20, a requirement to get on the stage for a CNN debate with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Nevada’s six electoral votes would get him closer, though he’s still dozens short.
The debate is central to Kennedy’s strategy, allowing him to stand alongside his better-known rivals to overcome his severe financial deficit and send the message that he is a viable candidate.
Supporters of Biden and Trump have mobilized against Kennedy, both fearing his idiosyncratic views and famous last name will tip the scales away from their preferred victor. It’s difficult to know how Kennedy will affect the race because polling on third-party candidates is notoriously unreliable this far out from an election.
___
Jonathan J. Cooper contributed reporting from Phoenix.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Biden heads to Las Vegas to showcase $8.2B for 10 major rail projects around the country
- Suspect in Texas killings tried to escape from jail, affidavit says
- Pantone reveals Peach Fuzz as its 2024 Color of the Year
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Horoscopes Today, December 7, 2023
- The Excerpt podcast: Republicans turn on each other in fourth debate
- After day of rest at climate summit, COP28 negotiators turn back to fossil fuels
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Pregnant Ciara Decorates Her Baby Bump in Gold Glitter at The Color Purple Premiere
Ranking
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Census Bureau wants to change how it asks about disabilities. Some advocates don’t like it
- Indiana judge rules in favor of US Senate candidate seeking GOP nomination
- Target is offering holiday meals again for under $25 for Christmas: What does it include?
- Meet 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, the youngest Olympian competing in Paris
- 14 Can't Miss Sales Happening This Weekend From Coach to Walmart & So Much More
- How Andrew Garfield Really Feels About Fans Favoring Other Spider-Mans
- Trump appeals ruling rejecting immunity claim as window narrows to derail federal election case
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Last sentencings are on docket in 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Greek policeman severely injured in attack by fans during Athens volleyball match
Illinois woman gets 55 years after pleading guilty but mentally ill in deaths of boyfriend’s parents
Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
How to adapt to climate change may be secondary at COP28, but it’s key to saving lives, experts say
How Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Built Their Life Away From Hollywood
Recording Academy, ex CEO Mike Greene sued for sexual assault of former employee Terri McIntyre