NC Elections Board again defers recognition of RFK Jr.’s and Cornel West’s political parties

The North Carolina state Board of Elections on Tuesday once again delayed ruling on certifying political parties affiliated with Robert Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, but did approve the Constitution Party. (Photo: Clayton Henkel)

Despite pressure from Republicans in Washington, the state Board of Elections again put off a decision that would allow well-known third-party presidential candidates on North Carolina’s ballot while it investigates petitions asking to form their political parties.

The state Board on Tuesday delayed certifying Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s We the People Party and Cornel West’s Justice for All Party.

Last month, the board voted 3-2 along party lines to defer a final vote to certify those parties, which would allow Kennedy and West to appear on the November ballot.

The Board certified the Constitution Party Tuesday after the delay from its June meeting. In addition to a presidential candidate, state Board lawyer Paul Cox said the Constitution Party will have candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and three other candidates who don’t yet want their names disclosed.

The state Democratic Party and a Democratic-aligned super PAC Clear Choice Action have objected to the Board recognizing We the People and Justice for All.

Polls have shown that third party candidates weaken support for President Joe Biden.

Republican Congressmen Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Bryan Steil, chairman of the House Committee on Administration, sent a letter to Elections Board Chairman Alan Hirsch and Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell last week saying it appeared the board is bowing to pressure from Democrats to deny the parties recognition, Raleigh’s News & Observer reported. The congressmen requested documents and information connected to the decision.

Questions about We the People have centered on what those who signed the petition were told about its purpose and whether We the People is a real political party or simply a vehicle to drive Kennedy’s name onto the ballot without his having to gather more than 83,000 signatures as required of independent presidential candidates.

It’s easier to become a political party in North Carolina. Signatures of only 13,865 registered voters are required for party recognition.

Elections board staff has subpoenaed nine parties involved in petition signature gathering. They’re attempting to contact people who have said they want their names removed from petitions to find out what they were told about their purposes.

The state board staff has not been able to talk to most of the petition signers they wanted to reach and has not heard from all the subpoenaed parties.

Republicans on the board pressed for a vote to certify We the People and Justice for All.

“I’m just completely at a loss as to what’s going on here,” said Kevin Lewis, one of the Republican members. “I’m disappointed in how the board is dragging its feet on this issue.”

Hirsch said the Board needed more information and would make a decision in plenty of time for candidates to get on the ballot.

“We’re going to take the evidence where it leads us, but we’re going to do it promptly,” he said.

The post NC Elections Board again defers recognition of RFK Jr.’s and Cornel West’s political parties appeared first on NC Newsline .