A judge ruled Monday that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. falsely claimed New York residency on his nominating petition and that he should not appear on the state’s ballot in November. Why it matters: The ruling, if upheld pending a likely appeal, could lay the groundwork for legal challenges against Kennedy’s ballot access in other states. Justice Christina L. Ryba ruled Monday that Kennedy falsely listed a New York residence while seeking to qualify for the state’s presidential ballot.

The big picture: A Democratic-aligned PAC, Clear Choice Action, accused Kennedy of falsely claiming New York residency despite currently living in the Los Angeles area. Kennedy testified during the weeklong trial, which did not have a jury, that he has lived in New York for decades and always planned to move back to the state. The Kennedy campaign, which has mounted an aggressive campaign to get on the ballot nationwide, is likely to appeal the ruling. What they’re saying: “Democracy is about trusting voters to make the best choice for themselves and their families, not weaponizing the courts to restrict voter choice and prevent Americans from supporting the candidate they like best,” Kennedy campaign manager Amaryllis Fox said in a statement.

If the Democratic party doesn’t start honoring the democratic process, all the lawfare in the world won’t keep the American people from voting them out of office.” The other side: “[RFK Jr.] doesn’t think the rules apply to him and he refuses to consider the consequences of his actions,” DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni said in a statement after the ruling. “That is why he is willing to play the role of spoiler for Donald Trump in this election and why he has floated endorsing Trump in exchange for a job in a Trump administration.”