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Jimmy Williams
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an emergency appeal from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to remove his name from presidential ballots in Wisconsin and Michigan, despite Kennedy’s request to end his independent bid and endorse Republican Donald Trump. Kennedy argued that keeping his name on the ballot implied he still wanted to be elected president, infringing on his First Amendment rights.
With early voting underway and over 2 million ballots cast across both states, officials in Michigan and Wisconsin contended that removing Kennedy’s name was no longer feasible. Michigan’s state attorneys stated that over 1.5 million residents have returned absentee ballots, and another 264,000 have voted early in person. In Wisconsin, over 858,000 absentee ballots have been returned.
The Supreme Court did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision, which is customary in emergency appeals. Justice Neil Gorsuch, however, publicly dissented in the Michigan case, referencing lower court opinions that argued Kennedy’s original request was timely enough to warrant consideration.
Kennedy, who initially ran as an independent candidate representing the Natural Law Party, had endorsed Trump in October. Since then, he has sought removal from ballots in seven battleground states, with Wisconsin and Michigan being the last two where his name will remain. His presence on the ballot has generated concern among some analysts who see third-party candidates as potential influences in a tight presidential race.
In Michigan, Kennedy achieved an early win in the appeals court, but the courts ultimately ruled he could not withdraw without the consent of the Natural Law Party, which had expressed support for his continued candidacy. In Wisconsin, Kennedy’s argument that major parties receive preferential treatment for candidate substitution was dismissed, with judges stating that the only permissible reasons for candidate removal post-nomination are death or other extreme circumstances. Efforts to cover his name with stickers were also deemed unworkable.
The Supreme Court’s ruling keeps Kennedy’s name on ballots in two of the most critical swing states, potentially affecting voter turnout and choices in a closely contested election.
