Democrats challenge ballot names in key battleground states

In Michigan, Democrats, led by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, successfully defended the inclusion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot despite his campaign suspension and endorsement of Trump. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled against a motion to remove him, citing procedural deadlines. Meanwhile, Jill Stein and another candidate, West, remain on the ballot, with Stein having previously received significant votes in past elections. Critics, including Michigan Republican strategist Stu Sandler, argue that Democrats are undermining democratic traditions for electoral advantage. In Wisconsin, Democrats attempted to remove Stein and West from the ballot but faced legal setbacks, with the state Supreme Court ruling in favor of Stein. Kennedy's situation remains contentious, as he has filed a federal lawsuit against the Secretary of State. The Democratic National Committee has raised concerns about Republican support for third-party candidates, particularly in Arizona, where Stein and Libertarian Chase Oliver will appear on the ballot, but Kennedy and West will not. In Georgia, Democrats achieved a legal victory against West and another independent candidate, Claudia de la Cruz, regarding their ballot paperwork. Kennedy will not be on the ballot in Georgia, while Oliver will be. The situation in Nevada is complex, as the state Supreme Court ruled against Stein's ballot access after Democratic intervention. Overall, the actions of Democrats in these battleground states reflect a strategic approach to ballot access, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the implications for the upcoming elections. The ongoing legal battles highlight the contentious nature of third-party candidacies and their potential impact on the major party candidates.