Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to remove his name from the Michigan ballot for the upcoming presidential election.
Kennedy, who was an independent presidential candidate, suspended his campaign in August and endorsed Donald Trump, subsequently seeking ballot withdrawal in key states, Reuters reported.
On October 25, Kennedy requested to be removed from the Michigan ballot. This development follows his campaign suspension and is part of his larger strategy to exit races in battleground states. Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, announced his support for Trump after his campaign exit.
Kennedy's appeal to the Supreme Court is not his first. He has made two prior appeals concerning state ballot decisions. Previously, the Supreme Court denied his request to return to the ballot in New York in September.
Similarly, Kennedy filed to be removed from the ballot in Wisconsin. This action was consistent with a previous attempt, though the specifics of each case have varied. Kennedy’s legal strategy underscores his aim to influence the dynamics of the remaining election.
The Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, rejected Kennedy's attempt to withdraw from the ballot. Consequently, he pursued a lawsuit in the Michigan courts, which resulted in unfavorable rulings for him. The state Supreme Court dismissed his plea, pushing Kennedy to continue his legal fight in federal courts.
Kennedy's legal team argues that presence on the Michigan ballot infringes upon his First Amendment rights. They believe such an inclusion could usher in a wave of unauthorized actions by Secretaries of State. The implications of his name remaining on the ballot, they argue, could undermine lawful election administration.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kennedy's plea, stating, "Kennedy does not explain how to unring the bell at this juncture without great harm to voting rights and the public's interest in fair and efficient election administration."
Kennedy's argument is based on the potential for undue influence on election outcomes. By remaining on the Michigan ballot, he could extract votes that might sway tight races. His commitment to withdrawing from competitive states aligns with his endorsement of Trump.
After the Michigan Supreme Court's denial, Kennedy escalated the issue to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This court also ruled against him on September 27. The appeals court concluded that the withdrawal at this late stage could disrupt voting processes.
Furthermore, Kennedy's legal representatives opine that Benson's refusal to meet his withdrawal requests risks broader legal breaches across the United States. The stance taken by Michigan's Secretary of State presents a potential test case for how similar situations might be handled in the future.
In addition to the court actions, Kennedy approached the Wisconsin Elections Commission with a unique request. He asked them to obscure his name using stickers over ballots. This unconventional measure reflects his determination to commit to his decision to support Trump.
Kennedy's persistence in these challenges displays his resolve to influence election outcomes even after his campaign suspension. By removing his influence in certain states, he hopes to promote the consolidation of votes for his endorsed candidate.
In summary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court signifies his strategic withdrawal from state ballots following his endorsement of Donald Trump. Despite repeated legal challenges in Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York, Kennedy persists in his effort to impact pivotal elections without his direct candidacy.
