Posted on 02/16/2024 7:08:54 PM PST by NoLibZone
A Democratic group is accusing independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the main super PAC supporting him of illegally coordinating with each other to get him on the ballot.
Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank that warns that third-party candidates could spoil the re-election chances of President Joe Biden in November, wrote to the secretaries of state in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan on Friday urging them not to accept any signatures gathered by the super PAC to help Kennedy.
The pro-Kennedy super PAC, American Values 2024, has announced plans to spend at least $15 million to help Kennedy get on the ballot, hiring at least three canvassing firms to gather signatures on his behalf in multiple states.
But attorneys from the powerhouse Democratic election law firm Elias Law Group, representing Third Way, argue that it is impossible to steer clear of federal rules barring coordination between a candidate and a super PAC while simultaneously complying with state laws that they say require candidates themselves to submit signatures for ballot access.
“Federal campaign finance law requires American Values 2024 to undertake this effort independently of Mr. Kennedy,” Third Way's attorneys wrote in a letter to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. “However, Arizona law does not permit a third party organization to collect and submit nomination petition signatures independently of the qualifying candidate.”
Arizona law refers to the “candidate and his or her legal counsel" submitting signatures for ballot access, but makes no mention of other parties submitting on the candidate’s behalf, the letter states.
The letters to the top election officials in Georgia and Michigan refer to similar clauses in their respective state laws, such as Michigan's stating that signatures are to be "filed by a person to qualify to appear on an election ballot as a candidate."
Third Way's complaint to the states follows a similar one the Democratic National Committee lodged with the Federal Election Commission last week.
Kennedy's team says the law is on their side and blasted Democratic efforts to quash his candidacy as undemocratic. Campaign manager Amaryllis Fox Kennedy said that the campaign has “never planned to rely on [the super PAC] for ballot access.”
“We have a nationwide operation underway and will get on the ballot in all 50 states with our own volunteers and small-dollar donations," she said in a statement. "Americans are tired of the establishment resorting to legal threats against their political opponents and deserve a leader who is asking for their vote based on the issues that affect their lives."
Tony Lyons, the super PAC’s president and Kennedy’s book publisher, said Democrats “know their candidate can’t win arguments in marketplace of ideas and are therefore waging an all-out assault on voting rights.”
“Precedent speaks volumes. As exemplified by Deleeuw v. State Board of Canvassers in Michigan, a case firmly upheld by the Supreme Court, the act of collecting signatures and submitting them on behalf of a candidate is not just a civic duty but an exercise of our First Amendment rights," Lyons added.
Subverting the will of the people to Save Democracy(tm).
What a piece of cr@p that guy is.
Isn’t Brandon always talking about democracy?
So what, he’s a Democrat and can break the law with impunity.
Kennedy is nowhere near independent.
Related aside.
Dear GOPers, please be on the lookout for a bait-and-switch, in which Mister Biden finds himself on the outs and as if by magic, Moochelle is somehow, although well-rehearsed to be "reluctant", available to miraculously skootch in for the Dem national convention nomination.
Just my guess, the Dems and I don't actually talk.
That the democrats accuse ANYONE of illegal election antics is beyond belief.
Jill Stein is already on the ballot in half the states. He needs to catch up.
“What a piece of cr@p that guy is.”
It is firm, not a guy. I bet no one at the firm is as sleazy as RFK.
Democrats hate Democracy.
Muh our Democraseeeee!
Dems are Defending Democracy by prosecuting the leader in the polls and also keeping independent candidates off of ballots.
I read somewhere where this mo is Obama’s-keeping other candidates off the ballot. That’s how he got the senate seat in IL
You’re busted Obama!
“Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank that warns that third-party candidates could spoil the re-election chances of President Joe Biden in November...”
Centrist my ass🤣🤣🤣
Obama is a Loser and will always be the worst president for many.Zero legacy Obama.
Nominees acceptable to recognized elite Swamp insiders will be permitted. Only.
Trump and RFK,Jr. are not on the list to get into the metaphorical fancy Swamp restaurant or club. Liz Cheney and Jeb Bush, right this way.
TV and film studio writer’s guidelines say “scripts through recognized agents only.”
Getting RFK on the ballot is Trumps best chance at winning, despite being +15 to 20% ahead on “Trump” issues, immigratiom, economy, Trump is only ahead +1.1% on realclearpolitics summary of polls, see https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-biden (its because women hate the Trump name calling and Trump loses women 2 to 1)
but put RFK in there and Trump goes up +5
https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-biden-vs-kennedy
He’d be a perfect fit for the Green Party. How many of you would then give? Bang for the buck.
Barry Sotero politics. If you can’t win outright, disqualify your opponent. Doing it to President Trump, now RFK Jr.
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