The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be listed on Wisconsin voters’ ballots after a request to remove his name was deemed inadequate. The court declined to make legal determinations due to insufficient briefing provided by Kennedy’s legal team. The court’s decision was made following a petition from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, with the majority of the court accepting the request to bypass an appeals court. Kennedy’s lawsuit against the Elections Commission argued that independent candidates are unfairly treated due to differing deadlines for ballot access compared to party-aligned candidates.
Kennedy requested to be removed from Wisconsin’s ballot as he sought to be on the presidential ballot in New York. Despite ending his campaign in August, Kennedy’s name remained on the Wisconsin ballot due to state law prohibiting candidates from withdrawing after qualifying. Republicans sought to remove Kennedy’s name from battleground states amid concerns he could draw votes away from former President Donald Trump. Kennedy’s attorney argued that the differing deadlines for party-aligned and independent candidates impacted his ability to withdraw from the race.
The state Supreme Court ruled that Kennedy failed to adequately make his case and prove errors in the circuit court’s decision. Despite criticism from some justices, Kennedy’s name will remain on Wisconsin’s ballot in November, among eight other presidential candidates. The court emphasized the potential negative impact on voter participation and the integrity of the electoral process.
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