Court Denies RFK Jr.'s Appeal to Remove Name from Michigan Ballot
- A federal appeals court denied Kennedy's request to have his name removed from the Michigan ballot on October 16, 2024.
- State law prohibits minor party candidates from withdrawing from the ballot once nominated, leading to the court's decision.
- This ruling allows Kennedy's name to remain on the ballot, even though he has publicly withdrawn from the race.
In Michigan, a federal appeals court ruled on October 16 not to reconsider a lower court's decision regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presence on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election. Although Kennedy, running as an independent candidate, had withdrawn from the race earlier in the year and requested his removal from the ballot, state law prevented any changes so close to the election. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson upheld this law, citing that minor party candidates cannot withdraw once nominated during state conventions. Two judges provided differing opinions on the situation. Judge Eric L. Clay mentioned that Kennedy's claims were legally barred due to previous court decisions and affirmed that no First Amendment rights were violated by keeping him on the ballot. In contrast, Judge Amul R. Thapar dissented, arguing that requiring Kennedy's name to remain on the ballot when he had disavowed his candidacy infringed upon his First Amendment rights. He pointed out that the state mandates Kennedy to deliver a message he does not endorse, likening it to requiring private speech on government-issued materials. This ruling creates a unique scenario where Kennedy's name will still be an option for voters, despite his withdrawal, reflecting the complexities of election laws surrounding candidate nominations. The judges' differing opinions may signal ongoing debates about First Amendment rights and the implications of election regulations in the U.S. political landscape.