RFK Jr. certified for Nebraska’s fall ballot, overcoming challenge from state Democratic Party

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign event "Declare Your Independence Celebration" at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on Oct. 12, 2023, in Miami. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images)

LINCOLN — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on Nebraska’s general election ballot this fall as a nonpartisan presidential candidate, over an objection from the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Kennedy’s campaign submitted more than 5,000 signatures last month to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office, which announced Friday it had certified Kennedy’s ballot petition with 4,442 valid signatures from registered Nebraska voters. His campaign needed at least 2,500 signatures.

“The Elections Division and county election officials worked diligently to process and certify this petition,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said in a statement. “Seven petitions have been returned this year for signature verification, and our election officials are working hard to accurately verify thousands of signatures in a timely manner.”

The Democratic Party filed an objection last week alleging in part that Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, shouldn’t appear on the nonpartisan ballot because they’re affiliated with political parties in other states.

That includes a campaign-led party in Hawaii and North Carolina, the “We the People Party” as well as the Libertarian Party of Colorado, the American Independent Party of California, Independent Party of Delaware, Reform Party in Florida, Natural Law Party in Michigan and Alliance Party in South Carolina.

Democrats alleged that the “overall strategy” of the campaign has been to seek ballot access “through whichever method they perceive to be the easiest.”

“Under Nebraska law, a truly nonpartisan candidate may bypass the primary election and still appear on the ballot for the general election,” the challenge read. “State law is clear on the requirements for the offices of President and Vice President, in particular.”

Evnen’s office considered that objection but determined Kennedy’s campaign fulfilled the legal requirements that Democrats alleged Kennedy was violating.

The news release stated: “the matters raised did not require that Kennedy be kept off the ballot.”

“Barring any legal challenges, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be listed on Nebraska’s general election ballot as a nonpartisan candidate in the U.S. presidential race.”

The Nebraska Democratic Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.