RFK Jr. Files Lawsuit Against “Democrat Partisan Hack”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, has filed a lawsuit against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, alleging unfair treatment and a violation of constitutional rights after being barred from collecting ballot access signatures inside polling places during the upcoming March 5 presidential primary.

The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in Bangor, Maine, on Wednesday, accuses Bellows of partisan bias and paints a picture of political maneuvering orchestrated from the White House to clear the 2024 general election ballot of any opposition that could challenge President Joe Biden.

Kennedy’s campaign argues that the decision to prevent signature collection inside polling places was made arbitrarily, without sufficient explanation, and infringes upon his campaign’s ability to secure the necessary signatures for ballot access.

According to Maine law, independent and third-party candidates must gather 4,000 signatures from registered voters by early August to appear on the general election ballot. Kennedy’s legal team contends that the prohibition on collecting signatures inside polling places hampers their ability to ensure that enough signatures meet the necessary criteria.

The lawsuit challenges Bellows’ interpretation of Maine law, arguing that collecting ballot access signatures does not constitute improper influence on voters’ decisions. Kennedy’s lawyers highlight inconsistencies in the application of the law, citing instances where representatives of Republican and Democratic presidential candidates were permitted to collect signatures inside polling locations during previous elections.

Furthermore, Kennedy’s campaign stresses the financial implications of being unable to collect signatures inside polling places, estimating potential savings of $22,500 compared to the cost of hiring professional signature gatherers.

In response, Bellows maintains that Maine law explicitly prohibits political activities within voting places that could influence voters’ decisions. While acknowledging Kennedy’s right to collect signatures outside polling places, she asserts that allowing such activities inside would undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

Kennedy’s lawsuit seeks to overturn Bellows’ decision and secure permission for signature collection inside polling places during the March 5 primary. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for independent and third-party candidates’ access to the ballot in Maine’s upcoming elections.

As the case unfolds, it underscores the complexities and challenges surrounding ballot access laws and the balance between ensuring fair elections and protecting candidates’ constitutional rights. For Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his supporters, the lawsuit represents a crucial effort to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure a level playing field in the electoral arena.