The challenge to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ballot access petition in Maine took an unexpected turn as the voter who filed the objection withdrew it just a day before the scheduled hearing. This development was confirmed by Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, who received the withdrawal request on Monday, leading to the dismissal of the challenge.
Meanwhile, in New York, a judge ruled that Kennedy's ballot-access petition in the state was invalid, dealing a significant setback to his independent presidential campaign's efforts to secure nationwide ballot access. Notably, a group supporting Kamala Harris has been actively challenging third-party candidates in states like Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Despite these challenges, Kennedy has managed to qualify for the ballot in 17 states, positioning him for a potential 220 electoral votes. His campaign has indicated that signature gathering has been successfully completed in all states and Washington, DC.