Oct 29, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court rejects removing RFK Jr. from Michigan, Wisconsin presidential ballots

April Rubin

RFK Jr. stands at a lectern at a rally — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks before former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27 in New York City. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court's ruling that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name must stay on Michigan and Wisconsin presidential ballots, despite Kennedy's departure from the race.

Why it matters: Kennedy had pushed to withdraw his name from the ballot to avoid taking votes away from former President Trump in the two battleground states.

Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented from the court's decision.

Catch up quick: Kennedy suspended his campaign and backed Trump in August.

The former candidate quickly said he was asked to join Trump's transition team.
Trump said on Sunday that he'd let Kennedy "go wild" as a potential health administrator. Kennedy has previously shared vaccine misinformation.

State of play: Early voting and mail-in voting are already underway in both states.

The Michigan Secretary of State office previously said minor party candidates can't withdraw from the race.
In Wisconsin, Kennedy asked for his name to be removed by placing stickers on physical ballots, per CBS News. State officials said this would be a "herculean task."

Zoom out: Last month, the Supreme Court, with no recorded dissents, rejected Kennedy's request to be reinstated on New York's ballot.

Go deeper: USPS: "Don't delay" in returning mail-in ballots

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Supreme Court rejects removing RFK Jr. from Michigan, Wisconsin presidential ballots

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