Rebecca Davis OBrien

More than half a dozen New York City residents described encounters with people seeking their signature who did not make clear that their aim was to place the independent 2024 candidate on the ballot.

Mr. Kennedy has become the most prominent independent or third-party presence in the 2024 race.

Mr. Kennedy has become the most prominent independent or third-party presence in the 2024 race.

An army of lawyers aims to challenge the steadily advancing ballot-access efforts of independent candidates, who Democrats fear could peel votes away in swing states.

Mr. Kennedy said he had been speaking with the Jets quarterback “pretty continuously” for the past month.