Robert F. Kennedy Jr., third-party candidates face ballot challenges in Pennsylvania

[FakeNoose]

Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/08/robert-f-kennedy-pennsylvania-president-ballot-third-party-candidates/

HARRISBURG — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his running mate, and at least nine third-party candidates are facing challenges that could see them kicked off of Pennsylvania’s Nov. 5 general election ballot.

The petition against Kennedy, an independent candidate and member of a dynastic Democratic family who rose to prominence as a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist, was apparently filed with the backing of Clear Choice Action. The political action committee was formed by allies of President Joe Biden to challenge third-party and independent candidates.

In a state where recent presidential elections have been decided by just tens of thousands of votes, Kennedy’s appearance on the Pennsylvania ballot could affect whether Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump takes home the state’s coveted electoral votes. Recent polls show Kennedy with roughly 3% support among commonwealth voters.

Challenges to several other candidates were filed with Commonwealth Court by the 5 p.m. deadline Thursday. The petition targeting Kennedy and his running mate Nicole Shanahan makes several arguments, including that Kennedy provided the wrong home address and that the candidates did not submit enough signatures.

The Pennsylvania Department of State advises third-party candidates for president that it will accept nomination papers with 5,000 signatures. However, it also warns candidates that this standard — which is much lower than the one prescribed in the state’s Election Code — is based on a court ruling that explicitly applies to the Constitution, Green, and Libertarian Parties.

- more at link -

I'm not sure how I feel about this. While I believe that every American has the right to run for office ... I can also see that these 3rd-party and no-party candidates have become an opportunity to mess up this REALLY IMPORTANT ELECTION.

None of these candidates has a possible chance of winning Pennsylvania. But the combined total of votes siphoned off for these candidates could prevent both Harris and Chump from winning a majority, thus causing further complications that are baked into the process. If Pennsylvania doesn't designate a clear winner within 48 hours (give or take) after the polls close on Nov. 5th, we're going to have problems.

[twodogsbarking]

1. Bears for Kamala.