Current:Home > InvestRFK Jr. must remain on the Michigan ballot, judge says-LoTradeCoin
RFK Jr. must remain on the Michigan ballot, judge says
View Date:2024-12-24 00:53:31
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan judge ruled that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must remain on the November presidential ballot, dealing a blow to his crusade to strategically remove his ticket from the battleground state.
Kennedy suspended his campaign and endorsed former President Donald Trump in August. Since then, he has sought to withdraw his name in states — like Michigan — where the race could be close. At the same time, he is trying to remain on the ballot in states where he is unlikely to make a difference between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Kennedy filed a lawsuit Friday in Michigan’s Court of Claims against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in an effort to withdraw his name. Michigan’s election officials had previously rejected Kennedy’s notice of withdrawal.
The Associated Press asked the secretary’s office for comment on the Court of Claims order that came down Tuesday.
In a post on X earlier in the day, Benson said under Michigan law, candidates who are nominated and accept a minor party’s nomination “shall not be permitted to withdraw.”
Kennedy argued in the lawsuit that his notice of withdrawal was timely and the electorate’s votes could be “diminished and rendered invalid” if he remains on the ballot. He filed a similar lawsuit in North Carolina on Friday, where he is trying to withdraw his name from the ballot.
Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher P. Yates concluded that the secretary of state rightly rejected Kennedy’s request to be removed from the ballot.
“Elections are not just games, and the Secretary of State (SOS) is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office,” Yates said in his opinion and order.
The Associated Press requested a comment from Kennedy’s attorneys Tuesday.
Wisconsin election officials said last week that Kennedy must remain on the ballot there, rejecting his request request to withdraw.
Last week, a different Michigan Court of Claims judge ruled that liberal independent candidate for president Cornel West must remain on the ballot, an opinion welcomed by West’s campaign.
Kennedy and West, prominent third-party candidates, are at the center of multiple legal and political battles across the country as Democrats and Republicans seek to use the impacts of third-party candidates who could take support from their opponents. Republicans allies in multiple battleground states such as Arizona and Michigan have sought to keep West on the ballot amid Democratic fears he could siphon votes from Vice President Kamala Harris.
veryGood! (61984)
Related
- About Charles Hanover
- Judge rejects Trump motion for mistrial in New York fraud case
- Cook drives No. 11 Missouri to winning field goal with 5 seconds left for 33-31 victory over Florida
- Do snitches net fishes? Scientists turn invasive carp into traitors to slow their Great Lakes push
- The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump over 'Seven Nation Army' use
- This cursed season should finally put the 'NFL is scripted' conspiracies to rest
- Tiger Woods commits to playing in 2023 Hero World Challenge
- This cursed season should finally put the 'NFL is scripted' conspiracies to rest
- Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
- Tens of thousands of religious party supporters rally in Pakistan against Israel’s bombing in Gaza
Ranking
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- A disappearing island: 'The water is destroying us, one house at a time'
- Philippines leader Marcos’ visit to Hawaii boosts US-Philippines bond and recalls family history
- These Are The Best Holiday Decorations Under $25 Whatever Style You're After
- It's about to be Red Cup Day at Starbucks. When is it and how to get the free coffee swag?
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Cassie settle bombshell lawsuit alleging rape, abuse, sex trafficking
- Residents battling a new train line in northern Mexico face a wall of government secrecy
- Australia says its navy divers were likely injured by the Chinese navy’s ‘unsafe’ use of sonar
Recommendation
-
Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
-
Investigators found fire and safety hazards on land under I-10 in Los Angeles before arson fire
-
The Pakistani army kills 4 militants during a raid along the border with Afghanistan
-
Poll: Jewish voters back Biden in Israel-Hamas war, trust president to fight antisemitism
-
Horoscopes Today, November 13, 2024
-
Poll: Jewish voters back Biden in Israel-Hamas war, trust president to fight antisemitism
-
More cases of applesauce lead poisoning announced by Oregon Public Health, FDA
-
Police shoot armed woman at Arizona mall and charge her with assault