A North Carolina court has ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name must be removed from the state’s ballot, just as election officials were preparing to send out mail-in ballots.

The decision, issued by the North Carolina Court of Appeals, came just days before absentee ballots were set to be sent to more than 130,000 voters, and it could significantly impact the closely watched race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the critical swing state, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals made the decision on Friday, directing election officials to pause sending absentee ballots. This move overturned a previous ruling made by Wake County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt, who had allowed Kennedy’s name to remain on the ballot. Holt had expressed concerns about the cost and logistical challenges of reprinting ballots so close to their distribution date.

Kennedy’s Withdrawal Fuels Debate

The legal battle began when Kennedy’s campaign requested to have his name removed from the ballot in several swing states, including North Carolina. Kennedy had recently endorsed Donald Trump and pledged to withdraw from key states to support Trump’s bid for re-election.

However, Kennedy’s initial request to withdraw was blocked by the Democratic-controlled State Board of Elections, sparking the legal dispute. Judge Holt’s ruling had initially sided with the Board of Elections, denying Kennedy’s request due to the financial burden it would place on state resources.

On Thursday, Kennedy’s legal team argued in court that the potential confusion for voters seeing his name on the ballot outweighed any concerns about administrative costs. "The ensuing confusion from that -- from individual voters going into the booth and looking at the ballot … outweighs any administrative inconvenience or concern that the state board has," said Kennedy’s lawyer, Phil Strach, during the hearing.

Ballot Reprinting Costs Spark Legal Challenge

Despite the financial concerns raised by Judge Holt, the Court of Appeals found in favor of Kennedy’s argument and ruled that his name should be removed. The decision is expected to benefit Trump, as Kennedy’s exit from the race could redirect support toward the former president in North Carolina.

Election officials were preparing to send requested mail-in ballots to over 130,000 voters, but the appeals court's ruling prompted them to halt the process immediately. The court instructed election officials to "hold your out-going absentee ballots," creating a race against time to reprint and redistribute ballots in accordance with the new decision.

Impact on North Carolina’s Electoral Votes

North Carolina holds 16 electoral votes, making it a highly sought-after swing state in presidential elections. The race between Trump and Harris is expected to be tight, with recent polling showing a close contest between the two candidates. Kennedy’s decision to withdraw from the race could sway voters who might have supported his campaign, potentially giving Trump a boost in the state.

This last-minute ruling adds another layer of complexity to an already high-stakes election cycle. With the reprinting of ballots and the halting of mail-in ballot distribution, voters in North Carolina may face additional delays and confusion as the election date approaches.

Kennedy’s Endorsement of Trump Draws Attention

Kennedy’s decision to endorse Trump and withdraw from the race in pivotal states has been seen as a strategic move to help the former president regain the White House. His exit from the race could consolidate conservative and independent voters who might have been split between him and Trump.

The decision to remove Kennedy’s name from the ballot comes as Trump and Harris vie for control of North Carolina’s electoral votes, a crucial battleground that could determine the outcome of the election.

Absentee Ballot Distribution Delayed

With more than 130,000 mail-in ballots already requested, state election officials now face the logistical challenge of reprinting ballots without Kennedy’s name. The Court of Appeals’ decision has added urgency to the process, as the window for sending out absentee ballots shrinks.

Officials have not provided a clear timeline on when the reprinted ballots will be sent, but they are working against the clock to ensure voters receive them before Election Day.

Next Steps in the Legal Battle

The appeals court's decision is expected to be the final ruling on the matter, though it remains to be seen how it will affect voter turnout and overall results in North Carolina. The state’s voters are already closely watching the developments, as the ruling could influence the tight race between Trump and Harris.

Despite the legal victory for Kennedy’s team, the reprinting of ballots and delays in their distribution may raise concerns about the election process, particularly with absentee voters who were expecting their ballots sooner.

Conclusion

A North Carolina court’s decision to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name from the ballot just before mail-in ballots were set to be distributed has added significant complexity to the state’s election process.

The ruling, which overturned an earlier decision, is likely to benefit Donald Trump in the closely contested race against Kamala Harris.

With 16 electoral votes on the line, North Carolina remains a key battleground state, and the outcome of this legal battle could have a lasting impact on the presidential race.