NC Election Commission takes no action against RFK Jr. and West

RALEIGH, NC (WNCN) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted Tuesday to formally recognize the Constitution Party, but postponed a decision on parties with ties to presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.

While the decision regarding the Constitution Party was unanimous, the panel’s Democratic majority wants to continue reviewing the petitions from Kennedy’s We the People and West’s Justice for All parties. Republican members said the panel should proceed with certifying those petitions.

“I just don’t understand what’s going on here,” said Kevin Lewis, a Republican on the board. “It doesn’t make sense to me. I think the board is generating a lot of bad publicity (here). Their motives are starting to be questioned.”

The parties have exceeded the number of signatures required for recognition under state law, but board staff said they have received requests from some people in the petitions to remove their names.

Staff said they served subpoenas to nine people and groups involved in the signature collection, which are still being returned to the board. They also attempted to contact dozens of people whose names appear on the signatures to verify the legitimacy of those signatures and determine whether voters knew what they were signing.

“If 12 said they couldn’t remember it being a party, that’s a pretty high percentage,” said Democratic board member Siobhan Millen.

Board Chairman Alan Hirsch said the board would meet again in July to discuss the matter.

“I promise we will do this in time to get these people on the ballot if they are approved as parties,” he said.

Matt Mercer, a spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party, wrote on social media: “To call the North Carolina State Board of Elections a sham court would be an insult to sham courts. There is no other way to put it: This is a lawless state agency.”

In 2022, the board refused to formally recognize the Green Party because of questions about its signature-gathering process. The party filed suit in federal court and won.

Board members said on Tuesday that something similar could happen again, which Hirsch acknowledged.

“If the third parties don’t want to wait for us, their remedy is to follow the Green Party’s path and go to federal court,” said Republican board member Stacy Eggers IV.

Lewis added: “I’m surprised they haven’t done that yet.”

A spokesperson for Kennedy’s campaign said in a statement: “Our supporters in North Carolina have submitted nearly twice the number of signatures required, and counties have officially accepted many more signatures than we need to get on the ballot as ‘We The People.'”

“The party has officially nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan,” the statement continued. “The challenge from the Democratic Party is null and void, and we look forward to providing the people of North Carolina with an independent alternative that guarantees that everyone who works hard can afford a good life.”

A spokesperson for West’s campaign said: “In response to the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ decision to deny Cornel West access to the ballot despite pressure from outside Democrats, the Cornel West 2024 campaign views this as a clear expression of undemocratic tactics.”

“The panel’s partisan decision undermines the fundamental principles of our electoral system, even though the required number of signatures were submitted on time,” the statement continued. “We are confident that Justice for All will fight this unjust decision and ensure that all voices are heard in the upcoming election.”

West said in a statement: “The actions of the Democratic board members reflect a disturbing trend of putting partisan interests above democratic values. This is hypocritical and contrary to everything our democracy stands for. People have a right to choose and should not have their options limited by a party that is afraid of competition.”