In a major development for the 2024 election, courts in Michigan and North Carolina ruled on Friday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can officially withdraw from the ballot. Kennedy, who endorsed President Donald Trump in late August, has been fighting to remove his name from several state ballots to prevent vote-splitting that could help Vice President Kamala Harris win the election.
The Democratic Party, particularly through Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, sought to block Kennedy’s withdrawal, arguing that it was too late for him to exit the race. Benson’s office initially stated that because Kennedy was the official nominee of the Natural Law Party, his name could not be removed. However, Friday’s court rulings overturned that position, delivering a win for both Kennedy and Trump.
These rulings are a key part of Kennedy’s broader effort to withdraw from ballots in other battleground states, including Wisconsin, where he is also seeking to have his name removed. Democrats have resisted these efforts, knowing that a split in conservative votes could benefit Harris.
Kennedy’s decision to withdraw comes as polling shows Harris holding a slight edge over Trump in states like Michigan. By removing his name, Kennedy is attempting to prevent a repeat of past elections where vote-splitting among conservative candidates led to Democratic victories.
As the election nears, these rulings strengthen Trump’s chances, with Kennedy’s absence from the ballot ensuring that Trump can consolidate conservative support.
