The North Carolina Democratic Party has secured an Aug. 12 court date to have the We the People Party removed from North Carolina’s election ballot this fall. Democrats claim that presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. misused state rules regarding ballot access for third parties. The hearing in Wake County Superior Court will address Democrats’ emergency motion for a preliminary injunction and an expedited hearing to have the party removed.
The State Board of Elections voted 4-1 on July 16 to give We the People ballot access for November, while rejecting the Justice for All Party linked to Cornel West. Democrats filed a lawsuit challenging the decision regarding the party linked to RFK Jr.
The Democratic Party lawyers argued that Kennedy switched from being an unaffiliated candidate in November to forming the We the People Party in January to reduce the signature requirements needed to get on the ballot. They believe this undermines the election process by circumventing rules and limits on campaign contributions.
The complaint cites statements from the elections board’s chairman, Alan Hirsch, stating that the We the People Party is a candidate campaign committee masquerading as a political party. The Democrats seek a court order by Aug. 16 to ensure there is sufficient time for the Board to print ballots for the November 5, 2024 general election.
While state courts will determine We the People’s ballot access, a federal judge will decide whether the state elections board should add the Justice for All Party to the ballot. US District Judge Terrence Boyle held a hearing in that case recently.
Source
Photo credit www.carolinajournal.com