Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will have to remain on the ballots in the key swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin, election officials confirmed on Tuesday, despite his decision to end his independent presidential campaign and endorse President Trump.
Kennedy is listed on Michigan's ballot as the candidate for the Natural Law Party, which officially nominated him earlier this year. Cheri Hardmon, spokesperson for the Michigan secretary of state's office, stated, “Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot in the November election.”
In Wisconsin, the state election commission certified ballot access for presidential candidates on Tuesday. Although Kennedy requested to withdraw his nomination as an independent, the commission voted against it. Ann Jacobs, chair of the commission, explained, “The statute is clear: once a candidate files and qualifies for the ballot, their name must appear unless the person is deceased.”
However, in Nevada, a court ruled Tuesday that Kennedy would not appear on the ballot, following an agreement to drop a previous lawsuit he had filed to secure his candidacy.
Kennedy, in his speech last Friday endorsing Trump, pledged to remove his name from battleground states where he could play a spoiler role. While Kennedy won’t be campaigning further, his exit is seen as a boost for Trump, as polls suggested his candidacy might have drawn voters away from Trump.
The news also dropped last weekend that Kennedy Jr. has lost his Secret Service protection following his decision to leave the race, per his campaign.
Biden had directed the Secret Service to provide protection for Kennedy after the assassination attempt on Trump in July.
