Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the former Democratic presidential candidate who recently dropped out of the race and endorsed Donald Trump, will remain on the ballot in Michigan and Wisconsin despite his attempts to withdraw. This comes as a surprise, given his recent shift in political allegiances and his expressed concern that his presence on the ballot could potentially benefit Democrats.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office confirmed that Kennedy’s name will remain on the ballot due to state regulations prohibiting minor party candidates from withdrawing. The Wisconsin Elections Commission also voted to keep Kennedy on the ballot, citing similar regulations that prevent candidates from declining nomination once they’ve filed. These decisions effectively negate Kennedy’s attempts to remove himself from the race in states where his presence could be considered a spoiler, potentially drawing votes away from Trump and benefiting the Democratic candidate.
Despite Kennedy’s efforts, the election commissions in both states cited specific legal provisions that explicitly bar candidates from withdrawing after filing. The Wisconsin Elections Commission highlighted a statute that states, “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.”
The presence of independent and third-party candidates on the ballot, including Kennedy, could have a significant impact on the election results in these close races. In both Michigan and Wisconsin, recent presidential elections have been decided by very narrow margins, highlighting the potential for even a small shift in votes to influence the outcome.
This situation has drawn attention to the intricate complexities of state election laws and the potential for unexpected outcomes when candidates attempt to alter their participation in the race after filing for office.
