Election officials in Wisconsin have turned to the state’s liberal-controlled Supreme Court to determine whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name should remain on the presidential ballot. Kennedy suspended his campaign in August and endorsed former President Donald Trump, prompting his efforts to be removed from ballots in key battleground states. While the North Carolina Supreme Court removed him from the ballot, the Michigan Supreme Court allowed him to stay on. Kennedy filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin seeking to be removed from the ballot, but a Dane County judge ruled that candidates must remain on the ballot unless they die. The Wisconsin Election Commission has asked the state Supreme Court to intervene, citing the need for a timely resolution as absentee ballots with Kennedy’s name have already been sent out.
The legal battle surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presence on the presidential ballot highlights the complexities of election law in Wisconsin. After suspending his campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump, Kennedy has been attempting to have his name removed from ballots in key battleground states. While the Michigan Supreme Court allowed him to stay on the ballot, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in favor of removing him. In Wisconsin, a Dane County judge ruled that state law requires candidates to remain on the ballot unless they die, prompting the Wisconsin Election Commission to seek intervention from the state Supreme Court.
Despite facing challenges in multiple states, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to fight to have his name removed from the presidential ballot. Kennedy filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin on September 3, seeking a court order for his removal. However, the Dane County judge refused to comply with his request, citing state law that mandates candidates to remain on the ballot unless they die. As a result, Kennedy has appealed the decision to the 2nd District Court of Appeals. The Wisconsin Election Commission has now petitioned the state Supreme Court to take up the case without waiting for the 2nd District’s ruling due to the urgency of the situation.
The uncertainty surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presence on the presidential ballot has raised concerns among election officials in Wisconsin. With clerks already sending out absentee ballots that include Kennedy’s name, the need for a prompt resolution to the legal dispute is evident. The Wisconsin Election Commission’s petition to the state Supreme Court seeks a timely and final decision on whether Kennedy’s name should remain on the ballot. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the upcoming election in Wisconsin and potentially impact the voting process for residents in the state.
The legal battle over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presence on the presidential ballot underscores the complexities of election law and the challenges faced by election officials in Wisconsin. As the state’s liberal-controlled Supreme Court considers whether Kennedy’s name should remain on the ballot, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the upcoming election. With absentee ballots already being sent out to voters, the urgency of resolving this matter has become increasingly apparent. Ultimately, the decision of the state Supreme Court will define the scope of candidates’ ability to be removed from the ballot and could shape the dynamics of the presidential election in Wisconsin.
