RFK Jr. disqualified from New York ballot, used 'sham' address for residency, judge rules

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s longshot bid for president has become even more unlikely after a judge ruled on Monday that his name should not appear on New York’s ballot after he falsely claimed a residence in the state on nominating petitions, despite living in California.

New York Justice Christina L. Ryba concluded in a 34-page decision that the rented bedroom Kennedy, 70, claimed as his residence in the state wasn’t a "bona fide and legitimate residence, but merely a ‘sham’ address that he assumed for the purpose of maintaining his voter registration" and furthering his political candidacy.

Ryba wrote in the decision that Kennedy’s designation of 84 Croton Lake Road in Westchester County as his place of residence "was a false statement requiring invalidation of the petition."

"Using a friend’s address for political and voting purposes, while barely stepping foot on the premises, does not equate to residency under the Election Law," the judge wrote. "To hold otherwise would establish a dangerous precedent and open the door to the fraud and political mischief that the Election Law residency rules were designed to prevent."