Inside R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle for Ballot Access: A Look at Surprise Strategies and Legal Threats
TL/DR –
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign is increasingly relying on paid petitioners and consultants to get ballots in each state, a process that has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. His campaign has a multipart strategy, including suing to challenge restrictions, forming political alliances, and using surprise filing tactics. Despite the presence of numerous volunteers, the campaign has turned to professionals to ensure the necessary signatures for ballot access are collected, a move that has been criticized by some of Kennedy’s longtime supporters.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Independent Presidential Campaign Relies Heavily on Consultants and Paid Petitioners
Despite Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign bragging about its enthusiastic volunteers, it’s increasingly reliant on paid consultants and petitioners. These professional signature gatherers have yielded mixed results, fueling questions of impropriety among Kennedy’s supporters. Kennedy’s campaign strategy to get him on the ballot in all 50 states involves aggressive legal action, political alliances, and surprise filing tactics.
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, and heir to a political dynasty, must produce thousands of signatures in most states, an intricate and confusing process. This effort has cost his campaign and supporting super PAC hundreds of thousands of dollars, involving professionals who specialize in navigating the complicated process.
Recently, Kennedy secured his place on the ballot in Michigan, a crucial presidential battleground, through the nomination of a minor political party. His campaign claims to have collected enough signatures for ballot access in six other states, including New Hampshire, Nevada, and North Carolina.
Democratic Party Concerned Over Kennedy’s Candidacy
Whether Kennedy’s presence on the ballot poses a greater threat to President Biden or former President Donald J. Trump remains unclear. Polls suggest he could draw votes from both major-party candidates. The Democratic Party, however, is more openly concerned with Kennedy’s candidacy, dedicating national legal and public-relations teams to mitigate his influence.
Kennedy’s campaign accuses the Democratic National Committee and Democratic secretaries of state of conspiring against Kennedy. They allege that the party and its allies have obstructed the campaign’s hiring by offering prospective workers large sums that come with noncompete agreements, preventing them from aiding Kennedy. The Democratic Party denies these claims.
Kennedy’s Ballot Access Strategy and Legal Challenges
Kennedy’s campaign is strategically delaying its filings to election officials. They plan to gather the required signatures in a given state, but postpone filing the actual ballot petition until just before the deadline, giving the Democratic Party less time to challenge the filings.
The campaign’s legal team has pre-emptively filed lawsuits challenging ballot access and signature collection rules in Idaho, Utah, and Maine, with plans for a challenge in New York State. They aim to knock out as many ballot access restrictions across the country as possible.
Tensions Rise Between Volunteers and Paid Consultants
As the campaign leans more on paid professionals, some of Kennedy’s early supporters feel sidelined, creating friction between volunteers and paid contractors. The campaign insists on the necessity of professional involvement for bulletproof applications, even as it acknowledges the importance of volunteer efforts.
Petitioning can be costly, with petitioners paid by the signature or the hour, varying by state. Between November and the end of March, the Kennedy campaign paid consultancy firm Accelevate 2020 $389,000 for campaign consulting.
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