In a recent development, a judge denied Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s request to have his name removed from the presidential ballot in Wisconsin, as state law requires candidates to remain on the ballot unless they die. Kennedy had suspended his campaign in August and endorsed Trump, aiming to remove his name from battleground states where the race is tight, while still allowing his supporters to back him in other states. Despite winning a court order in North Carolina to remove his name, Kennedy’s name will remain on the Michigan ballot. He filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin seeking removal, arguing that third-party candidates are discriminated against under state law.
Judge Stephen Ehlke ruled against Kennedy’s request, stating that Wisconsin statutes mandate that once candidates file valid nomination papers, they must remain on the ballot unless they die. Ehlke noted that many county clerks had already sent out ballots for printing with Kennedy’s name on them, making removal logistically challenging. Kennedy’s attorneys suggested covering his name with stickers, but the judge rejected this idea, expressing concerns over potential issues with tabulating machines. The judge stated that Kennedy had no one to blame but himself for being on the ballot, indicating that the process was fair and lawful.
In an attempt to expedite an appellate ruling, Kennedy’s attorneys asked a state appellate court to take the case prior to Ehlke’s ruling. The 2nd District Court of Appeals had been waiting for Ehlke’s decision before deciding whether to take the case, with no immediate action following the ruling. The presence of independent and third-party candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin could play a crucial role in the election outcome, as the state has seen close results in several recent presidential elections. In 2016, Green Party nominee Jill Stein received more votes in Wisconsin than Trump’s winning margin, leading some Democrats to blame her for helping Trump secure the state and the presidency.
Despite his efforts to have his name removed from key battleground states, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces challenges in Wisconsin as a judge denied his request based on state law requiring candidates to stay on the ballot unless they die. Kennedy’s decision to endorse Trump and suspend his campaign in August led to a legal battle to remove his name from ballots across various states. The implications of independent and third-party candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin could affect the election outcome, given the state’s history of close margins in presidential elections. The legal proceedings in Wisconsin highlight the complexities and challenges faced by third-party candidates in the electoral process.
