Michigan Supreme Court rules RFK Jr. stays on ballot

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will remain on the ballot for the upcoming election, despite his request to withdraw after endorsing Donald Trump. The court's majority opinion stated that Kennedy did not demonstrate a clear entitlement to be removed, reversing a previous decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals that had favored his removal. This ruling came after Kennedy's nomination by the Natural Law Party, which has ballot access in Michigan. Justice Elizabeth Welch noted the opposition from Natural Law Party chair Doug Dern regarding Kennedy's withdrawal, emphasizing that the party's interests must be considered. Kennedy's strategy to withdraw from battleground states aims to consolidate support for Trump, as he believes his presence on the ballot could split the vote. Despite suspending his campaign, Kennedy's support in Michigan was recorded at 4% in a recent poll, indicating that his voters could influence the election outcome. The legal battle to remove Kennedy's name from the ballot began after he initially lost in the Michigan Court of Claims. Following an appeal that temporarily allowed his removal, the Supreme Court's decision reinstated his candidacy. This ruling is significant as absentee voting in Michigan is set to begin soon, with ballots for military and overseas voters required to be sent out shortly. Kennedy's endorsement of Trump and his attempts to withdraw from the ballot reflect a broader strategy to maximize Republican support in key states, which could be crucial in determining the election's outcome.