The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will remain on the state’s November presidential ballot, despite his efforts to remove his name to support Donald Trump. The ruling puts an end to Kennedy’s attempt to avoid drawing votes away from Trump in the crucial battleground state.
Kennedy’s Efforts to Withdraw from Michigan Ballot
Kennedy, who suspended his third-party presidential campaign in August and endorsed Trump, filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on August 30. Kennedy’s goal was to have his name removed from the ballot, citing concerns that his candidacy could siphon votes away from Trump, who narrowly won Michigan by 10,000 votes in 2016.
On Monday, the state’s Supreme Court rejected Kennedy’s request, reversing a prior Court of Appeals ruling from Friday. The court declared that Kennedy had not demonstrated sufficient grounds for “extraordinary relief” and thus would remain on the ballot.
Reaction from Both Sides
Kennedy’s attorney, Aaron Siri, criticized the decision, stating, “This plainly has nothing to do with ballot or election integrity. The aim is precisely the opposite — to have unwitting Michigan voters throw away their votes on a withdrawn candidate.” Meanwhile, Angela Benander, spokesperson for Secretary Benson’s office, expressed satisfaction with the swift ruling, which allows election officials to move forward with printing absentee ballots in compliance with federal deadlines.
Court’s Ruling and Dissent
The Michigan Supreme Court, with its 4-3 Democratic-nominated majority, issued an unsigned order. However, two Republican-nominated justices dissented, warning that the decision could have broader implications for the upcoming election. They wrote, “We can only hope that the Secretary’s misguided action — now sanctioned with the imprimatur of this Court — will not have national implications.”
Kennedy had hoped to remove his name from ballots in other close states as well. While he succeeded in North Carolina, he faced legal challenges in Wisconsin and now in Michigan, where his candidacy will remain in place.
Conclusion
With the Michigan Supreme Court ruling, voters in this key battleground state will see Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on their presidential ballots despite his withdrawal, potentially adding another layer of complexity to the 2024 election.
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