A judge in Wisconsin has denied Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s request to have his name removed from the presidential ballot in the swing state. The ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Stephen Ehlke stated that state law mandates candidates to remain on the ballot unless they pass away.
Kennedy, who suspended his campaign in August and endorsed Donald Trump, has been attempting to remove his name from ballots in key battleground states. While he succeeded in North Carolina, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that he must remain on the ballot in that state.
In his lawsuit filed in Wisconsin, Kennedy argued that third-party candidates face discrimination under state law compared to Republican and Democratic candidates. He highlighted the difference in deadlines for certifying nominees, with independents having an earlier withdrawal deadline.
Judge Ehlke's ruling emphasized that Wisconsin statutes are clear in stating that once nomination papers are filed, candidates will stay on the ballot unless they die. He also noted that many county clerks had already sent out ballots with Kennedy's name printed on them.
Despite suggestions from Kennedy's attorneys to use stickers to cover his name on ballots, Judge Ehlke dismissed the idea, citing logistical challenges and potential litigation issues. The judge stated that Kennedy had no one to blame but himself for being on the ballot.
Kennedy's legal team sought an expedited appellate ruling by asking the state appellate court to take the case before Ehlke's decision. The 2nd District Court of Appeals is awaiting Ehlke's ruling before deciding whether to proceed with the case.
The presence of independent and third-party candidates on the ballot could play a crucial role in Wisconsin, a state where past elections have been decided by narrow margins. In 2016, Green Party nominee Jill Stein received more votes than Trump's winning margin, leading to some Democrats attributing her candidacy to Trump's victory.
