A North Carolina election board has once again delayed granting certification to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West, citing concerns about how their nominating signatures were obtained.
North Carolina State Board of Elections members said at a hearing Tuesday that during several investigative phone calls to registered voters in the two candidates’ parties, some signers were unaware they had nominated Kennedy or West.
Board staff contacted 26 voters who signed petitions for Kennedy’s We The People party and 66 who signed for West’s Justice for All party. It’s unclear how many of those contacted were allegedly confused about the purpose of their signatures.
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Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaks during a voter rally at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
General Counsel Lindsey Wakely said 12 signers of the Justice for All petition did not recall signing the petition.
According to local media outlet Port City Daily, every individual contacted by the We the People petition recalled signing their name.
State election officials previously confirmed that the We the People party submitted more than the 13,865 valid signatures needed to register as a political party ahead of the 2024 election. The Justice for All party also submitted more than the minimum number of signatures needed.
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Presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West is seen speaking to reporters after a rally in Harlem, New York City. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A debate has erupted in the state over whether opposition to Kennedy and West’s names on the ballot is based on legitimate ethical concerns or political maneuvering to protect President Biden from third-party candidates.
Republican board member Kevin Lewis reportedly expressed frustration over the continued obstacles to Kennedy and West, questioning the motives of his Democratic colleagues.
“You know how I voted last time and I hope the other board members will do the right thing and approve these partners today,” Lewis said, according to Port City News.
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President Biden and former President Trump participate in the CNN presidential debate in Atlanta. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Kennedy has repeatedly denied accusations that he is portraying himself as a saboteur against Biden, claiming he is “trying to hurt both” the president and his opponent, former President Trump.
