Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to remove his name from the ballots in crucial swing states has hit a roadblock, as election officials in Michigan and Wisconsin have ruled that his name must remain on their respective ballots for the 2024 presidential election. This development comes in the wake of Kennedy’s recent decision to suspend his independent presidential campaign and endorse former President Donald Trump.
Michigan and Wisconsin Stand Firm
In Michigan, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office confirmed that Kennedy’s name will stay on the ballot, stating that “he cannot withdraw at this point”. Kennedy had gained ballot access through the Natural Law Party, a minor party with ballot access in the state.Similarly, the Wisconsin Elections Commission certified on Tuesday that Kennedy would appear on the ballot, rejecting his request to withdraw. The commission cited Wisconsin law, which states that “any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in case of death of the person”.
Kennedy’s Strategy and Concerns
Kennedy’s decision to withdraw from these battleground states stems from his concern that his presence on the ballot could potentially split the vote and inadvertently benefit the Democratic candidate. In his speech announcing his withdrawal and endorsement of Trump, Kennedy stated, “In around 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I will remove my name, and I’ve already initiated that process, urging voters not to support me”.He emphasized that polling consistently indicated that remaining on the ballots in battleground states could unintentionally assist the Democrats, with whom he holds significant disagreements on critical issues.
Mixed Results in Other States
While Michigan and Wisconsin have denied Kennedy’s request, the situation varies in other states:
- Arizona: Kennedy successfully filed paperwork to withdraw his name a day before suspending his campaign.
- Florida: The state granted Kennedy’s request to withdraw his candidacy.
- Georgia: A recent court ruling determined Kennedy was “not qualified” to appear on the ballot, citing questions about his New York residency.
- Nevada: Kennedy was removed from the ballot despite missing the withdrawal deadline.
- Ohio: Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed that Kennedy would be removed from the ballot.
- Pennsylvania: A judge granted Kennedy’s request to withdraw his candidacy.
- Texas: Kennedy successfully withdrew his name from the ballot.
Implications for the 2024 Election
The presence of Kennedy’s name on ballots in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin could potentially impact the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. While Kennedy is no longer actively campaigning and has endorsed Trump, some voters may still choose to cast their ballots for him, potentially affecting the vote distribution between the major party candidates.As the election approaches, political analysts will be closely watching how Kennedy’s lingering presence on these ballots might influence voter behavior and the overall electoral landscape in these crucial states.
