Two key battleground states, Michigan and Wisconsin, have refused to remove former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name from the ballot for this November's general election, despite his request and his withdrawal from the race.
Kennedy announced last Friday that he was ending his presidential bid and would support former President Trump.
He said he would seek to remove his name from the ballot in states that could theoretically swing the election, but would leave his name on the ballot in states that are overwhelmingly Democratic or overwhelmingly Republican.
But critical purple states rejected the effort on Tuesday.
“His name will remain on the ballot in November's election because minor party candidates cannot withdraw,” said Sheri Hardmon, a senior spokeswoman for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Axios said in a statement. Tuesday.
Kennedy will run in Michigan as the Natural Law Party's candidate.
“The Natural Law Party held a convention to choose its electors. [Kennedy]”Because the primary election is over, we are unable to meet to select new electors at this time,” Hardmon added in a statement.
Hardmon did not respond to a request for comment.
Wisconsin similarly decided it was too late to change Tuesday. After initially disagreeing on the issue, the Wisconsin Election Commission voted 5-1 to keep Kennedy's name on the ballot. Officials pointed to state law that says candidates must remain on the ballot after they run for office unless they die, The Associated Press reported.
During Tuesday's hearing, According to NBC News:Committee Chairwoman Ann Jacobs cited state law to another committee member who had concerns about keeping Kennedy on the ballot despite his request.
“LawliterOneLisayes“Any person who has filed candidacy papers and is eligible to appear on the ballot may not withdraw from candidacy. His or her name shall appear on the ballot unless the person dies,” Jacobs said, according to the news outlet, citing the minutes of the meeting.
“You're emotionally saying, 'This shouldn't be the law,' and the law in this case is crystal clear,” Jacobs added. “I don't disagree with you. It's odd, but I don't think there's any discretion here.”
The Hill has contacted the committee for comment.
While Kennedy's withdrawal does not dramatically change the 2024 presidential election nationwide, his decision could potentially change the game in some states where the race is already close.
In the three-way race, Vice President Harris (45.5%) leads Trump (42.5%) by 3 points, with Kennedy at 5%, according to The Hill/Decision Desk Michigan polling average.
But without Kennedy, Harris' lead in Michigan would shrink to 2.3 percentage points — 48.4 percent to Trump's 46.1 percent — so having Kennedy on the ballot could give Harris a slight boost.
In Wisconsin, the polling average shows Harris (47.2%) leading Trump (42.9%) by 4.3 percentage points in a hypothetical three-way race, to Kennedy's 4.3 percentage points.
Without Kennedy, Harris' lead over Trump in Wisconsin would shrink to 3 percentage points, with Harris receiving 49.3 percent of the vote to Trump's 46.3 percent.
The Hill has reached out to Kennedy and Trump's team for comment.
