NC elections board approves one third-party, but takes no action on RFK Jr. and Cornel West

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted Tuesday to formally recognize the Constitution Party, but delayed action on parties tied to presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West.

While the decision on the Constitution Party was unanimous, the board’s Democratic majority wants to continue looking into the submissions by Kennedy’s “We the People” and West’s “Justice for All” parties. Republican members said the board should move forward with certifying them.

“I’m just completely at a loss of what’s going on here,” Republican board member Kevin Lewis said. “This is not making a lot of sense to me. I think the board is bringing a lot of bad publicity [here]. Your motives are starting to be questioned.”

The parties exceeded the number of signatures required in state law to be recognized. However, board staff members said they have received requests from some people on the petitions to have their names removed.

Staff members said they had issued subpoenas to nine people and groups involved in the signature gathering process, which were still being returned to the board. They’ve also been attempting to contact dozens of people whose names appear on the submissions to attempt to verify the legitimacy of those signatures and whether voters knew what they were signing.

“If 12 said they didn’t recall knowing it was a party, that’s a pretty high proportion,” Democratic board member Siobhan Millen said.

Board Chair Alan Hirsch said the board would meet again in July to consider the matter.

“I promise we will do that [with] plenty of time to get these folks on the ballot, should they be approved as parties,” he said.

Matt Mercer, a spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party, wrote on social media, “Calling the NC State Board of Elections a Kangaroo Court would be an insult to kangaroos. No other way to say it: this is a lawless state agency.”

In 2022, the board declined to formally recognize the Green Party amid questions about its signature gathering process. The party sued in federal court and won.

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

“[The third parties’] remedy, if they don’t wish to wait for us, is to follow the route of the Green Party and go to federal court,” Republican board member Stacy Eggers IV said.

Added Lewis, “I’m surprised they haven’t already.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Kennedy’s campaign said, “Our supporters submitted nearly double the required signatures in North Carolina and the counties officially validated much more than we need for We The People to gain ballot access.”

“The party has officially nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Nicole Shanahan,” the statement continues. “The Democratic Party’s challenge is frivolous, and we look forward to giving the people of North Carolina an independent alternative that will guarantee 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 ballot access amid pressure from outside Democrats, the Cornel West 2024 campaign views this as a clear display of anti-democratic tactics.”

“The board’s partisan decision, despite the submission of the requisite number of petition signatures on time, undermines the foundational principles of our electoral system,” the statement continues. “We are confident that Justice for All will fight this unjust decision and ensure that all voices are heard in the upcoming elections.”

West said in a statement, “The actions of the Democratic members of the board reflect a disturbing trend of putting partisan gain over democratic values. It is hypocritical and antithetical to everything our democracy stands for. The people deserve the right to choose, not to have their options limited by a party fearful of competition.”

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